D 



THE WORK 

OF THE 

AMERICAN RED CROSS 
DURING THE WAR 

A STATEMENT OF 
FINANCES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

FOR THE PERIOD 
JULY I, I917 TO FEBRUARY 28, I919 




AMERICAN RED CROSS 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 



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THE WORK 

OF THE /^A ^ 

AMERICAN RED CROS^"'' 
DURING THE WAR 

A STATEMENT OF 
FINANCES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

FOR THE PERIOD 
JULY I, I917 TO FEBRUARY 28, I919 



AMERICAN RED CROSS 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

OCTOBER, 19 19 






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OCT 25 I91Q 

-' 25 \iW 






FOREWORD 



To the American People : 

Herein is contained in the form of figures a report of money con- 
tributed and expended, as well as the work done by the American 
Red Cross, during the period in which the War Council was in con- 
trol of its affairs. It was the practice of the War Council to give 
complete publicity to its policies and finances, but it is only now 
that a picture of the war period as a whole can be presented. It is 
the feeling of the War Council that a report in this summarized form 
should be made directly to the public which provided the money and 
gave the effort which made the American Red Cross a success. 

Immediately the armistice was signed the War Council prepared to 
turn over the direction of affairs to the Executive Committee as the 
permanent head of the American Red Cross. The report herein con- 
tained therefore brings the affairs of the Red Cross only up to March 
I, 1919. On that date the War Council relinquished its authority. 
The work, however, of the American Red Cross was going on at a very 
rapid pace. The war work proper, incident to the military effort, was 
on an extensive scale long after hostilities ceased, and as the spring 
months revealed the conditions brought about by war, especially in 
Eastern Europe, the American Red Cross was face to face with obli- 
gations of large proportions on behalf of humanity. There was wide- 
spread suffering which we alone were in a position to relieve. 

A statement of the American Red Cross effort and finances since the 
War Council relinquished its control will be made to the public through 
the Executive Committee, and it is important therefore that the fact 
that this report covers the period only until March i, should be care- 
fully noted. 

The American Red Cross has wrought both largely and nobly, yet 
those who have been associated so intimately with its activities during 
the war and have witnessed the outpouring of service which it brought 
forth from all classes of people, cannot but feel that in time of peace 



IV FOREWORD 

the Red Cross will realize a yet larger destiny. This is not the place to 
detail these opportunities of the future, but it is a fitting occasion to 
repeat the happy phrase recently uttered by Cardinal Mercier in 
connection with the work of the American Red Cross: 

"Such a national inspiration should be captured and held for the 
benefit of all mankind." 

H. P. Davison 
Chairman, War Council 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

Foreword iii 

List of diagrams viii 

List of tables viii 

List of maps x 

Statement of Red Cross accomplishments xi 

Chapter L Summary of Financial Oioerations i 

General i 

Chapter finances 3 

Finances of national headquarters 4 

IL Membership and war drives 9 

General 9 

Membership 9 

Summary 9 

Adult membership 11 

Junior membership 12 

Revenues from membership 15 

War drives 16 

in. Work in the United States 21 

General 21 

Chapter activities 21 

Production of relief articles 21 

Home service — work for the families of soldiers and sailors 25 

Canteen service 27 

Motor corps service 31 

Red Cross Work in Spanish inlluenza epidemic .... 31 

Instruction in first aid 32 

Activities of the national and divisional organizations . . 32 

Nursing service 32 

Camp service 33 

Sanitary service 38 

Communication work 40 

Disaster relief 40 

Life-saving work 41 

Organization of base hospitals 41 

Organization of ambulance companies 41 



VI CONTENTS 

Page 

Other medical and hospital work 42 

Red Cross Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men . . 42 

Red Cross Institute for the Blind 43 

Supplies operations in the United States 43 

Personnel 45 

The administrative organization in the United States 47 

IV. Work in France . . . . , 49 

General 49 

Hospital and medical work, with armies and navy .... 51 

Hospitals for American and Allied troops 51 

Convalescent homes for "American soldiers 52 

Dispensaries and infirmaries for American soldiers ... 53 

Hospital supply service for American Army 53 

Red Cross supply service for French hospitals 53 

Production and supply of splints 54 

Production and supply of nitrous oxide and oxygen ... 54 

Reconstruction and re-education 55 

Canteens 56 

General 56 

Front-line canteens 56 

Line of cominunication canteens 57 

Aviation canteens 57 

Evacuation hospital canteens 58 

Metropolitan canteens 58 

Recreational and welfare service for soldiers and sailors . . 58 

Home and hospital service for soldiers and sailors .... 59 

Hospital farms and gardens 59 

Hospital recreational huts 60 

Home communication service 60 

Grave photography 61 

Civilian relief 61 

Relief of refugees 61 

Relief of French soldiers' families .......... 62 

Children's relief work . .' 63 

Anti-tuberculosis work 63 

Other activities 64 

V. Work Elsewhere Overseas 65 

General . • • 65 

Belgium 66 

Soldiers' relief service 66 

Relief of children 67 

Relief of civilians 67 



CONTENTS Vll 

Page 

Italy :...'.... 68 

Service for American soldiers and sailors 68 

Medical and hospital service for the Italian Army ... 69 

Ambulance service for the Italian Army ....... 69 

Canteen service for the Italian Army 69 

Relief of refugees 7^ 

Care of children 72 

Other activities 72 

British Isles 72 

Hospital service 72 

Camp and canteen service 73 

Care of the shipwrecked 75 

Other activities 76 

Switzerland 76 

Prisoners' relief service 77 

Relief of civilians 79 

Balkan States 79 

Roumania 80 

Serbia 81 

Russia 82 

Siberia 83 

Medical service 83 

Camp service 85 

Refugee relief 86 

Palestine and Near East 86 

Other activities overseas 90 



DIAGRAMS, TABLES, AND MAPS - 

LIST OF DIAGRAIMS 

Page 

Diagram i. Disposition of the average dollar spent by A. R. C 3 

2. Value and distribution, by classes, of chapter-produced 

articles 22 

3. Home service rendered to families of soldiers and sailors . . 26 

4. Purchased supplies shipped overseas for Red Cross work, 

classified by kind and value 44 

5. Hospital days in Red Cross military hospitals in France, dur- 

ing months of America's most active service 52 

6. Thousands of drinks served in Red Cross canteens at the 

front, by months 56 

7. American prisoners in German and Austrian prison camps 

aided by the Red Cross 77 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table I. Combined financial operations A. R. C. as a whole 2 

2. Chapter financial operations 3 

3. National headquarters financial operations 5 

4. Fund balances, national headquarters 6 

5. Resources composing fund balances, national headquarters . . 7 

6. Adult membership, compared with population, by States ... 11 

7. Junior Red Cross members and percentage of membership to 

school population, by States 14 

8. Collected contributions, first and second war drives combined, 

with comparisons by States 18 

9. Collections in foreign countries, first and second war drives . . 20 

10. Classification of relief supplies produced by chapter workers . . 23 

11. Distribution of chapter-produced relief supplies 23 

12. Classified list of relief articles produced by the Junior Red Cross 25 

13. Refreshments served free by Red Cross canteens in U. S. ... 29 

14. Supplies distributed free by Red Cross canteens in U. S 29 

15. (Hours of service of Red Cross motor corps workers in U. S. . . 31 

16. Pved Cross buildings in camps in U. S 34 

17. Some of the principal articles distributed free in camps and 

hospitals in U. S. by the Red Cross 35 



DIAGRAMS, TABLES AND MAPS IX 

Page 

i8. Hospital services in U. S 36 

19. Home service cases in camps in U. S 36 

20. Red Cross sanitary service in the prevention of malaria in U. S. 38 

21. Red Cross sanitary inspections 38 

22. Public health nursing within sanitary zones 39 

23. Classification of principal disasters in which the Red Cross 

rendered aid 40 

24. Supplies transactions in U. S 43 

25. Tons of supplies shipped from U. S. overseas for Red Cross work 45 

26. Schedule of personnel and salaries of the national organization . 46 

27. Appropriations for cash expenditure in France 51 

28. Work in twenty-four Red Cross military hospitals in France . 52 

29. Red Cross production and supply of nitrous oxide and oxygen 54 

30. Red Cross aid to French mutiles 55 

31. Red Cross aid to disabled American soldiers in France .... 55 

32. Summary statistics of Red Cross canteens in France 56 

33. Red Cross line of communication canteens 57 

34. Red Cross aviation canteens 57 

35. Red Cross canteens in evacuation hospitals 58 

36. Red Cross metropolitan canteens 58 

37. Red Cross hospital farms and gardens in France 60 

38. Red Cross moving pictures for hospitals 60 

39. Red Cross home communication service in France 61 

40. Relief of French refugees 62 

41. Children's relief work in France 63 

42. Anti-tuberculosis work in France 64 

43. Appropriations for cash expenditure elsewhere overseas .... 66 

44. Red Cross work among refugees in Italy 71 

45. A few of the supplies distributed by the Red Cross among 

refugees in Italy 7^ 

46. Some of the principal articles distributed free to American 

soldiers and sailors in the British Isles 73 

47. Supplies furnished American prisoners 78 

48. Hospitals operated by the Red Cross in Siberia 84 

49. Supplies distributed by the Red Cross in Western Siberia ... 85 

50. Refugee relief work of the Red Cross in Siberia 86 

51. Medical service of the Red Cross in the Jerusalem district ... 87 

52. Red Cross work among children in the Jerusalem district ... 89 

53. Red Cross industrial and agricultural service in the Jerusalem 

district §9 



X DIAGRAMS, TABLES AND MAPS 

Page 
LIST OF MAPS 

Map 1. 3724 Red Cross chapters by States and divisions 8 

2. Percentage of adult membership to population, by States ... 10 

3. Percentage of school children of the United States who were 

Junior Red Cross members, by States 13 

4. Per cent, to wealth of combined collections in both Red Cross 

war drives, by States 17 

5. Value of chapter-produced articles, by divisions, per chapter 

member 24 

6. 3618 home service sections, by States 28 

7. 700 Red Cross canteens in U. S 30 

8. 339 military and naval stations in U. S. where camp service was 

conducted 34 

9. 37 Red Cross sanitary units in U. S 37 

10. 551 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service in France 50 

11. 141 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service in Italy 70 

12. 329 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service in the 

British Isles 74 

13. 25 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service in Switzer- 

land 76 

14. 13 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service in Rou- 

mania 81 

15. 22 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service in Siberia 84 

16. 54 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service in 

Palestine and the Near East 88 



PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE 

AMERICAN RED CROSS DURING 

THE WAR 



Contributions received (money and material) $400,000,000 

Red Cross members: Adults 20,000,000 

Children 11,000,000 31,000,000 

Red Cross workers 8,100,000 

Relief articles produced by volunteer workers 371,500,000 

Families of soldiers aided by home service in U. S 500,000 

Refreshments served by canteen workers in U. S 40,000,000 

Nurses enrolled for service with Army, Navy, or Red Cross 23,822 
Kinds of comfort articles distributed to soldiers and sailors 

in U. S 2,700 

Knitted articles given to soldiers and sailors in U. S. ... 10,900,000 

Tons of relief supplies shipped overseas 101,000 

Foreign countries in which Red Cross operated 25 

Patient days for soldiers and sailors in Red Cross hospitals 

in France 1,155,000 

French hospitals given material aid 3»78o 

Splints supplied for American soldiers 294,000 

Gallons of nitrous oxide and oxygen furnished hospitals in 

France 4,340,000 

Soldiers served by Red Cross canteens in France 15,376,000 

Civilian refugees aided in France 1,726,000 

American convalescent soldiers attending Red Cross movies 

in France 3,110,000 

Wounded soldiers carried by Red Cross ambulances in Italy 148,000 

Children cared for by Red Cross in Italy 155,000 



I 



SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL OPERATIONS 
For Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 

GENERAL 

To present a complete picture of Red Cross financial operations it is 
necessary to bring together figures for national headquarters (including 
divisions and overseas commissions) and for all chapters. 

Each chapter is substantially autonomous in financial affairs. A 
proportion of "war-drive" contributions and of membership dues 
collected within its territory is retained by each chapter — the balance 
going to national headquarters — and it obtains other revenues through 
special contributions, proceeds from entertainments, sales, etc. The 
funds so obtained are used in operating canteens, home service work, 
production of relief articles and the thousand helpful local tasks that 
fall to the chapter. 

The funds received by national headquarters finance all overseas 
relief work, and the important tasks carried on in the United States, 
such as service to soldiers in all military establishments and hospitals 
etc., of a nature placing them outside the field of chapter activities; 
also, the cost of maintaining the necessary central organization, trans- 
portation both of relief supplies and personnel, and countless similar 
items. 

It will be clear from the above that the fields naturally covered by 
the two sets of figures are not generally similar, so that combined fig- 
ures can be given only to a limited extent. Unlimited details can be 
given for each group separately. 

The following table shows the revenues and expenditures of chapters 
and national headquarters combined for the twenty months ending 
February 28, 1919, round figures being used for simplicity: 



2 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Table i 

COMBINED FINANCIAL OPERATIONS 
A. R. C. AS A WHOLE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 



Revenues (including balance July i, 1917) 

National headquarters $263,000,000 

Chapters 137,000,000 

Total $400,000,000 



Cost of Chap- 
ter-Produced 

National Articles Total 

Expenditures Headquarters Chapters Distributed Expenditures 

France . $57,000,000 $25,000,000 $82,000,000 

Elsewhere overseas .... 64,000,000 8,000,000 72,000,000 

United States 48,000,000 $43,000,000 28,000,000 119,000,000 

Totals $169,000,000 $43,000,000 $61,000,000 $273,000,000 

Balance, February 28, 1919 

National headquarters — cash $41,000,000 

National headquarters — supplies 53,000,000 

Chapters 33,000,000 

Total . $127,000,000 



In connection with this balance of $127,000,000 on hand on Febru- 
ary 28 several things must be borne in mind, because this figure gives 
no indication of the greatly reduced amount which will probably be 
available eight months later. This is true because the cash in the 
hands of chapters supplied local needs during the spring and summer; 
and the supplies in the hands of divisions and overseas commissions 
represented work undertaken before February 28. On that date they 
were being utilized as rapidly as possible in completing these old 
obligations. The $41,000,000 unappropriated cash then in the hands 
of headquarters represented the only resource av^ailable for new under- 
takings or for carrying on the great bulk of the work for which no 
further financial provision had then been made; the obligations of the 
Red Cross committed it to continuing service in practically every line 
of activity, and many of these activities continued to expand for a 
period; indeed by the very nature of the case expenditures concerned 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 3 

with the return of our soldiers and the caring for the recreational needs 
of the sick and wounded did not reach their zenith until a somewhat 
later date. 

The main distribution of all expenditures is indicated graphically 
below, on the basis of the above figures: 




CHAPTER FINANCES 

The growth in chapters during the war period was in keeping with 
the enormous growth in membership. The simple statement that on 
February 28, 1919, there were 3,724 chapters with 17,186 branches 
suggests the difficulties encountered in combining the accounts for this 
mass of units, each of which is largely autonomous in financial afTairs. 
However, each chapter is required to make simple financial reports to 
national headquarters at regular intervals, and the regulations call for 
a periodical audit of all of their afifairs by an auditing committee or 
outside auditor. From these sources a sufficient number of reports 
has been received to warrant estimates for the chapters still to be 
heard from. As a result of these computations, the following table is 
presented as covering the financial transactions of all chapters: 

Table 2 

CHAPTER FINANCIAL OPERATIONS 
(Including Branches and Auxiliaries) 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Revenues 

Chapters' proportion of war drives l53,8oo,ooo 

Chapters' proportion of membership dues 18,440,000 

Chapters' proportion of class fees 390,000 

Sales of materials to members for relief articles 20,290,000 

Contributions, legacies, and gifts 9,580,000 

All other revenue 31,340,000 

Total 1133,840,000 



4 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Expenditures 

Materials purchased for relief articles |6o, 660,000 

Canteen service 2,320,000 

Equipment of military hospitals, ambulances, etc 3,070,000 

Home service 8,790,000 

Miscellaneous war relief 480,000 

Spanish influenza epidemic relief work 1,680,000 

Disaster relief 520,000 

Public health nursing 380,000 

Transportation on materials and supplies 290,000 

General operating expenses 7,490,000 

All other expenditures 17,900,000 

Total $103,580,000 

Excess of receipts over expenditures $30,260,000 

Balance, June 30, 1917 3,200,000 

Balance, February 28, 1919 $33,460,000 



FINANCES OF NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 

The financial and accounting plan applied to the affairs of national 
headquarters is one generally known as "the fund and appropriation 
system." Under this plan a number of funds exist, either under By- 
Law requirement or executive order, each for a specific purpose. All 
revenues are, on receipt, placed in the fund to which they belong. 
Money can be taken out of these funds only by formal act of appropria- 
tion voted by the War Council or the Executive Committee. Expendi- 
tures are made only under authorizations of this character. 

Appropriations, and therefore expenditures, are classified according 
to funds, countries, and classes of work. However, the amounts set 
aside for expenditure in a certain country are not necessarily a measure 
of work entered into for the sole benefit of the natives of that country ; 
for example, perhaps the larger part of the total amount appropriated 
for work in France benefited directly soldiers of the United States, 
though of course an immense amount of work was done for French 
soldiers, children, and refugees as well as for the nationals of other 
countries then located in France. 

On July I, 1917, the national headquarters had balances in relief 
funds aggregating $3,134,904.33. During the twenty months ending 
February 28, 1919, revenues aggregated $260,002,589.34, producing a 
total of $263,137,493.67 available for appropriation. From this 
amount $169,095,111.33 was appropriated, leaving balances in relief 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 5 

funds on February 28, 1919, aggregating $94,042,382.34. This balance, 
now substantially depleted by appropriations made since February 28, 
consisted of cash and securities $41,339,337.67, and supplies $52,703,- 
044. 67. ^ 

The general sources from which the revenues were obtained and the 
general classes of work for which the appropriations were made, are 
indicated in the following table: 

Table 3 

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS FINANCIAL OPERATIONS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, IQIQ 

Relief Fund balances, June 30, 1917 $3. i34. 904-33 

Revenues from July i, 191 7, to February 28, 1919 

First war drive collections — national headquarters proportion . . . $92,947,388.54 

Second war drive collections — national headquarters proportion . . 136,851,629.73 

Membership dues — national headquarters proportion ' 18,930,056.17 

Donations of surplus funds from chapters 1,419,460.07 

Interest 3,157.268.95 

Other revenues 6.696,785.88 

Total revenues $260,002,589.34 

Total available for appropriation and expenditure $263,137,493.67 



Appropriations from July i, 1917, to February 28, 1919 

War relief in France $57,207,003.95 

War relief elsewhere overseas 63,840,655.04 

War relief in United States 28,977,985.24 

Disaster relief 938,420.87 

Collections, enrolments, and publications 4,660,191.71 

Operation of relief bureaus 2,727,055.90 

Operation of bureaus for handling relief supplies; also transportation 

in United States of relief supplies 5.530.345-72 

Operation of administrative bureaus at national and divisional head- 
quarters 4.359.758.03 

Other activities 853,694.87 

Total appropriations' $169,095,111.33 

Balance in relief funds available for appropriation, February 28, 
1919 $94,042,382.34 

* Includes cash necessary to liquidate supply contracts. 

' Excludes $949,838.29 dues from life and patron members, all of which go to the 
Endowment Fund. 

'Of this sum $152,380,671.07 had been spent or advanced to February 28, 1919. 



6 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

The revenues quoted above are dealt with in detail in Chapter II. 
Expenditures are discussed in Chapters III, IV and V. 

In addition to the foregoing, there should be mentioned the Endow- 
ment Funds of the Red Cross, which are controlled by a special Board 
of Trustees which pays over all income to the national organization. 
On July I, 1917, these Funds aggregated $1,360,622.41. During the 
twenty months' period revenues, including life and patron dues, gifts, 
legacies and interest, totaled $1,072,382.27. In the same period, in- 
come payments to the national organization amounted to $106,095.91. 
The balance in the Funds on February 28, 1919, was $2,326,909.37. 

The details of the fund balances of national headquarters on Febru- 
ary 28, 1919, are given below: 

Table 4 

FUND BALANCES 
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 

February 28, 1919 

Appropriated but unspent 

War Fund $21,288,856.83 

General Fund 312,696.71 

Contingent Relief Fund 63,426.52 

Special relief funds ; 124,032.98 

Miscellaneous funds 200,000.00 



Total $21,989,013.04 

Less advances thereunder 5,274,572.78 

Net total $16,714,440.26 

Available for appropriation 

War Fund $88,879,857.60 

General Fund 4,494,283.87 

Contingent Relief Fund 228,614.38 

Special relief funds 3,744.11 

Miscellaneous funds 435,882.38 

Total unappropriated relief funds $94,042,382.34 

Endowment Fund $2,326,909.37 

Total of fund balances $113,083,731.97 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 7 

The assets, or resources, composing these fund balances are indi- 
cated below: 

1 able 5 

RESOURCES COMPOSING FUND BALANCES 
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 

February 28, igig 

Supplies 

In the United States 

Port warehouses $9,801,356.50 

Division warehouses 17,101,267.85 

Accounts receivable for supplies sold 795,548.64 

Overseas 20,979,871.68 

Total $48,678,044.67 

Cash advances (to provide working capital) 

Overseas commissions $9,509,070.61 

Divisions in the United States 2,993,990.13 

Miscellaneous 331,000.00 



Total $12,834,060.74 

Current assets 

Cash in banks $19,062,878.60 

Cash and securities in hands of War Finance Committee * .... 31,702,600.48 

Securities owned 1,206,060.25 

Bills receivable 2,920.00 

Miscellaneous accounts receivable 631,742.16 

Total $52,606,201.49 

Less 

Current accounts payable $3,150,766.14 

European drafts not yet presented 210,718.16 

Net total $49,244,717.19 

Endowment Fund assets in hands of Trustees $2,326,909.37 

Total resources $113,083,731.97 



* Representing that part of the net amount which the Treasurer of the National War 
Finance Committee reported as having been collected by him but not turned over by 
February 28 to the Treasurer of the American Red Cross. 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 




II 

MEMBERSHIP AND WAR DRIVES 

GENERAL 

During the twenty months' period ending February 28, 1919, the 
Red Cross as a whole received in round figures 1400,000,000 in volun- 
tary contributions and subscriptions. Of this total $42,000,000 came 
from membership dues, and $283,500,000 from the war drives. The 
remainder came from so many different sources that specific mention 
is impossible in this report. 

MEMBERSHIP 

Summary 

On May i, 191 7, just before the appointment of the War Council, 
there were 562 chapters with a membership of 486,194 adult members. 

On February 28, 1919, there were 3,724 chapters with 17,186 
branches embracing a membership, in round figures, of 20,000,000 
adult members and 11,000,000 junior members. 

Practically every square mile in continental United States is now 
covered by some form of chapter organization. There are fifty-four 
chapters in insular and foreign places. 

Map I on the opposite page indicates the distribution of chapters 
by States and divisions on February 28, 1919. 

With the combined adult and junior membership of 31,000,000, 
nearly one-third of the entire population of this country are members of 
the American Red Cross. 

During the war period, there were two membership enrolments, a 
vast majority of the memberships being on an annual basis. Each 
"drive" was held in the week preceding Christmas, the first in 191 7, and 
the second in 191 8. Each resulted in an enrolment of about twenty 
million people. The costs of the two campaigns combined were in 
round figures, $1,450,000. 



10 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



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STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT II 

Adult Membership 

The following table and the map on page lo present comparisons 
of adult membership by States as of December 31, 191 8, the member- 
ship being somewhat smaller than it was as of February 28, 191 9: 

Table 6 

ADULT MEMBERSHIP, COMPARED WITH POPULATION, BY STATES 

December 31, igi8 



State 



Membership 



Population 6 



Per Cent, of 
Membership 
to Population 



Maine 

Massachusetts . . . 
Rhode Island . . . 

Vermont 

New Hampshire . . 
Connecticut .... 
New Jersey .... 
New York .... 

Delaware 

Pennsylvania . . . 
District of Columbia 

Maryland 

Virginia 

West Virginia . . . 

Florida 

Georgia 

North Carolina . . 
South Carolina . . 

Tennessee 

Indiana 

Kentucky 

Ohio 

Illinois 

Iowa 

Michigan 

Nebraska 

Wisconsin 

Alabama 

Louisiana 

Mississippi .... 

Montana 

Minnesota .... 
North Dakota . . . 
South Dakota . . . 

Arkansas 

Kansas 

Missouri 



158.613 
946,835 
135.487 

70,627 
101,468 
265,628 
437.748 
.554.535 

15.634 
;,667,758 

54.443 
188,046 
268,601 
198,407 
100,583 
175.190 
159.301 
108,378 
176,898 
588,672 
271,878 
[,127,590 
951,076 
736,879 
569.130 
421,821 
519.534 
133.447 
201,094 
148,786 
156,016 
475.727 
151.985 
176,875 
214.571 
482,353 
924,444 



782,191 
3,832,790 

637.415 

366,192 

446,352 

1,286,268 

3,080,371 

10,646,989 

216,941 
8,798,067 

374.584 
1.384.539 
2,234,030 
1,439,163 

938,877 
2.935.617 
2,466,025 
1.660,934 
2,321,253 
2,854,167 
2,408,547 
5.273.814 
6,317.734 
2,224,771 
3.133.678 
1,296,877 
2,553.983 
2,395.270 
1,884,778 
2,001,466 

486,376 
2,345,287 
791.437 
735.434 
1,792,965 
1,874.19s 
3,448,498 



20.28 
24.70 
21.26 
19.29 
22.73 
20.65 
14.21 
14.60 
7.21 
18.96 
14-53 
13-58 
12.02 
13-79 
10.71 
5-97 
6.46 
6.53 
7.62 
20.63 
11.29 
21.38 
15-05 
33-12 
18.16 
32-53 
20.34 
5-57 
10.68 
7-43 
32.08 
20.25 
19.20 
24.05 
11.97 
25-74 
26.81 



' Bureau of Census estimate as of July i, 1918. 



12 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



State 



Oklahoma 

Texas 

Colorado 

New Mexico 

Utah 

Wyoming 

Alaska 

Idaho 

Oregon 

Washington 

Arizona 

California 

Nevada 

Insular and foreign places 

Total 







Per Cent, of 


Membership 


Population ^ 


Membership 




2.377.629 


to Population 


S67.521 


23.87 


1,000,429 


4,601.279 


21.74 


250.574 


1,014,581 


24.69 


47.457 


437.015 


10.85 


102,981 


453.648 


22.70 


44.231 


190,380 


23.23 


23.594 


64,912 


36.34 


103,914 


461,766 


22.50 


247.518 


888,243 


27.86 


353.020 


1,660,578 


21.25 


39.317 


272,034 


14-45 


658.123 


3.119.412 


21.09 


22,811 


114.742 


19.88 


105. 211 






18,602,759 


105,324,094 


17.66 



Junior Membership 

The Junior Membership comprivses what may be termed "the Junior 
Red Cross." In it the school children of the country are organized for 
educational and productive purposes under the inspiration of patriotic 
and other altruistic motives. During the fall of 191 7 the Red Cross 
first commenced to enroll junior members. By June, 1918, a children's 
army of 8,000,000 had been mobihzed, and by February 28, 1919, this 
number had increased to over 1 1 ,000,000. 

During the period covered by this report the work of the Junior Red 
Cross involved many kinds of war activities, including the production 
of relief articles, the operation of war gardens, the conservation of 
second-hand articles and assistance to the Government of the United 
States and the American Red Cross in many other lines of work. With 
the coming of peace the efforts of the juniors have been extended to 
helping the less fortunate children in this and in other lands. The 
results of the work of these young people was of considerable produc- 
tive value (see page 25). Obviously more valuable than the material 
product was the fact that a new life and interest entered the work of 
these school children when they realized that they were filling an 
immediate and definite need. 

The basic unit of organization in the Junior Red Cross is the auxili- 
ary or school. A school officially becomes a junior auxiliary when 
twenty-five cents has been paid into the Red Cross School Fund for 



^Bureau of Census estimate as of July i, 1918. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 




H 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



each pupil. On February 28, 1919, there were about 90,000 such auxili- 
aries. On that date, more than half of all the school children of 
America were members. In four States, Arizona, California, Delaware 
and Nevada, all school children were members. 

The following table and the map on page 13 present comparisons 
of the Junior Membership by States as of February 28, 1919: 



Table 7 

JUNIOR RED CROSS MEMBERS AND PERCENTAGE OF MEMBERSHIP TO 
SCHOOL POPULATION, BY STATES 

February 28, igig 



State 



Maine 

Massachusetts . . 
Rhode Island . . . 

Vermont 

New Hampshire 
Connecticut . . . 
New Jersey . . . 
New York .... 
Delaware .... 
Pennsylvania . . . 
District of Columbia 
Maryland .... 

Virginia 

West Virginia . . 

Florida 

Georgia 

North Carolina . . 
South Carolina . . 
Tennessee .... 

Indiana 

Kentucky .... 

Ohio 

Illinois 

Iowa 

Michigan .... 
Nebraska .... 
Wisconsin .... 
Alabama .... 
Louisiana .... 
Mississippi .... 
Montana .... 
Minnesota .... 



Junior 
Members 


of School 




Population 


32,025 


19.25 


507,266 


69.86 


44,948 


40.30 


14,204 


19-35 


13.718 


15-38 


154,121 


53-71 


395,497 


67.22 


1,339.951 


70.38 


56,050 


100.00 


1,451,059 


86.12 . 


51,601 


79-90 


140,076 


51.29 


138,208 


27-43 


77.740 


24-39 


25.252 


12.20 


164,484 


24-27 


41,667 


6.17 


41.134 


9.66 


74.433 


11.68 


244,621 


40.48 


163,080 


28.59 


387,622 


37-81 


765.473 


58-95 


355.584 


62.64 


552,307 


79.60 


230,645 


. 75-68 


373.310 


70.68 


15.465 


2.90 


48,502 


13-53 


10,734 


2.15 


81,627 


74-36 


370,628 


71-33 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



15 



State 



North Dakota 
South Dakota 

Arkansas . . 

Kansas . . . 

Missouri . . . 

Oklahoma . . 

Texas . . . . 

Colorado . . 

New Mexico . 

Utah . . . . 

Wyoming . . 

Alaska . . . 

Idaho . . . . 

Oregon . . . 
Washington 

Arizona . . . 

California . . 

Nevada . . . 



Total 11,418,385 s 



Junior 
Members 


Per Cent, 
of School 
Population 


98,417 


63-43 


85,119 


61.39 


83.552 


18.40 


342,900 


81.85 


510,836 


64.92 


266,606 


50.26 


464,799 


44-47 


117.397 


61.31 


22,729 


27-49 


41.595 


36.05 


17.150 


50.10 


1,800 


56.90 


47.049 


47-87 


84.438 


56.23 


144.540 


56.54 


73.900 


100.00 


637.755 


100.00 


14.771 


100.00 



51-49 



Revenues from Membership 

The American Red Cross, as a whole, received approximately $42,- 
000,000 from membership dues during the twenty months ending 
February 28, 1919. Of this total, about $3,700,000 from junior mem- 
bers was placed in school funds, approximately $18,500,000 was re- 
tained by chapters, $949,838.29 went in the Endowment Fund, and 
$18,930,056.17 came to the national organization for general uses. 

Junior membership dues (twenty-five cents for each child) are placed 
in "school funds," and are used chiefly in purchasing materials to be 
made up into surgical and other relief supplies by the children. 

There are several classes of adult membership dues, but in all cases 
except the dues for life members and patrons (all of which are, under 
the By-Laws, credited to Endowment Fund) part of the dues is re- 
tained by chapters and part placed in the General Fund of the national 
organization. 

That part which is retained by chapters is used to pay the necessary 
costs of operating these most important units of the organization and 
to supplement the chapter's portion of War Fund collections when 
funds received through that source are inadequate to meet the needs 
for war relief work. 



'This total does not include the 300,000 junior members in insular and foreign places. 



l6 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

The General Fund, in which is placed the part of membership dues 
which comes to the national organization (excepting dues from life 
members and patrons) is provided, under the By-Laws, to cover "the 
general expenses of the corporation." The receipts which have been 
placed to the credit of this Fund have been sufficient to pay not only 
the costs of managerial offices and administrative bureaus, but also to 
finance the costs of operating all relief bureaus and all bureaus for 
handling relief supplies maintained both at national and divisional 
headquarters, and to carry on numerous specific relief activities. 

WAR DRIVES 

In order to secure the major portion of the funds required for relief 
work, two so-called "war drives" were developed. Each "drive" in- 
volved the setting of a definite period during which the whole nation 
was called on to give, and the creation of a comprehensive organization 
to attend to the related work. In round figures, $283,500,000 was de- 
rived from the two "drives." 

Because of the importance of the work, and its distinctive character, 
an entirely separate national organization was created for collecting 
and handling the funds. This organization was headed by a War 
Finance Committee, appointed by the President, and under it were 
local campaign committees covering the entire United States. The 
funds secured were collected in local banks, gradually transferred to 
central depositories and then turned over to the Treasurer of the Red 
Cross as needed. 

The size of the task is indicated by the fact that in the first "drive" 
there were 3,929 campaign committees and 3,986 banks of deposit, and 
in the second "drive" 3,898 committees and 8,768 depositories. 

The funds obtained from the "drives" were divided between the 
chapters and national headquarters under arrangements permitting 
the assignment to each chapter, for local war work exclusively, of not 
more than 25 per cent, of the amount collected within its territory. 
As a result, 18.5 per cent, of the proceeds of the first "drive" and 19.3 
per cent, of the proceeds of the second "drive" were assigned to chapters. 

The entire amount of the war drive proceeds retained by national 
headquarters was placed in the War Fund, which could be used only 
for war relief projects. To this Fund was also credited interest earn- 
ings to the amount of $2,766,403.54. As a result of this practice, 
more than $1.01 is available for war relief from every dollar received for 
that purpose. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



17 



£S ^ 6? fe? ^. 

O O o ° i* 

00 O ?^ CO > 

9 -: - - O 



^ 65 ^ Ji? ^ 

V3 >-l rt -H »- 

fO 00 o f^ °° 

O O i5 r^ -j 




fel 



i8 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



All of the proceeds of the two drives were collected by campaign 
committees except -about $ 10,000,000 contributed direct to the 
Treasurer of the Red Cross. The table which follows and the map on 
page 17 present comparisons of contributions to the two drives com- 
bined, by States: 

Table 8 

COLLECTED CONTRIBUTIONS, FIRST AND SECOND WAR DRIVES COMBINED, 
WITH COMPARISONS BY STATES 

February 28, iQig 



State 



Collections 


Per Cent. 


Per 


Per Cent. 




to Total 


Capita 


to Wealth 


$1,564,480.08 


.6 


I2.00 


• IS 


14,114,590.99 


5-2 


3.682 


.22 


2,090,235.69 


.8 


3-279 


.22 


503,222.10 


.2 


1-374 


.10 


875,986.16 


■ 3 


1.962 


•13 


6,968,947.95 


2.6 


5-418 


-30 


9.775.739-48 


3.6 


3-173 


• 17 


69.331.242.69 


25-4 


6. 511 


.28 


3,273.524-41 


1.2 


IS -089 


1.06 


27,283,990.90 


10. 


3.101 


.18 


1,471,045.04 


-5 


3-927 


• 13 


2,828,412.77 


I.O 


2.043 


• 13 


2,431,848.98 


• 9 


1.088 


.11 


1.975.827.30 


.7 


1-373 


•09 


1,070,628.27 


-4 


1. 140 


.10 


1,632,179.60 


.6 


0-556 


• 07 


1,442.430.18 


■5 


0.585 


.08 


1,421,146.56 


-5 


0.856 


.11 


2,473,516.85 


-9 


1 .066 


.13 


4,768,788.58 


1.7 


1. 671 


.09 


2,627,823.14 


1.0 


1. 091 


.12 


17.737.755-61 


6.5 


3-363 


.20 


15,116,986.97 


5-5 


2-393 


.10 


4,190,483.36 


1-5 


1.884 


-05 


6,557.562.93 


2.4 


2.093 


.12 


3,206,772.98 


1 .2 


2-473 


.08 


3,812,260.87 


1-4 


1-493 


.08 


1,674,570.22 


.6 


0.699 


.08 


2.575.966.94 


-9 


1-367 


.12 


1,107,837.74 


-4 


0.554 


.08 


1,126,650.89 


•4 


2.316 


.10 


5,314.540.13 


1-9 


2.266 


.10 


767.235-52 


• 3 


0.969 


.04 


565,908.51 


.2 


0.769 


.04 


1,591.943-01 


.6 


0.888 


.09 


4,669,858.65 


1-7 


2.492 


.10 



Maine , 

Massachusetts . . , 
Rhode Island . . . , 

Vermont 

New Hampshire . , 
Connecticut . . . , 
New Jersey . . . . 

New York 

Delaware . . . . , 
Pennsylvania . . . , 
District of Columbia 

Maryland 

Virginia 

West Virginia . . , 

Florida 

Georgia 

North Carolina . . , 
South Carolina . . , 

Tennessee 

Indiana 

Kentucky 

Ohio 

Illinois 

Iowa 

Michigan 

Nebraska 

Wisconsin . . ... . 

Alabama 

Louisiana 

Mississippi 

Montana 

Minnesota 

North Dakota . . . 
South Dakota . . . 

Arkansas 

Kansas 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



19 



State 



Missouri 

Oklahoma 

Texas 

Colorado 

New Mexico 

Utah 

Wyoming 

Idaho 

Oregon 

Washington 

Arizona 

California 

Nevada 

Alaska 

Insular and foreign places 

Total 





Per Cent. 


Per 


Collections 


to Total 


Capita 


9,123,044.48 


3-3 


2.646 


3,072,958.29 


I 


I 


1.292 


5,256.699.55 


I 


9 


1 .142 


3,281,983.86 


I 


2 


3 235 


353.814-66 




I 


0.810 


1,161,275.60 




4 


2.560 


640,141.11 




2 


3 362 


984,112.14 




4 


2. 131 


1,972,278.76 




7 


2.220 


3,964,843.37 


I 


5 


2.388 


674,978.60 




3 


2.481 


10,274,068 10 


3 


8 


3-294 


198,610.17 




I 


1-731 


161,220.43 




I 




2.177.797.81 




8 




^273,239,768.98 


100 


00 


$2,373' 



Per Cent, 
to Wealth 

.16 
.07 
.08 
.14 
.07 
■ IS 
.18 
.16 
.10 
. 12 

• 13 
.12 

.04 



,14' 



The first war drive was conducted between June 18 and June 25, 

1 91 7. The goal set was $100,000,000. Collections totaled $114,023,- 
640.23, an over-subscription of fourteen per cent. For campaign and 
collection expenses national headquarters appropriated $278,114,27, 
and it is estimated that the chapters spent $500,000 for this purpose; 
costs, therefore, were less than seven-tenths of one cent for each dollar 
collected. 

The second war drive was conducted between May 20 and May 27, 

1918. Again the goal set was $100,000,000. Up to February 28, 1919, 
collections totaled $169,575,598.84, an over-subscription of nearly 
seventy per cent. (It is estimated that when all collections have been 
received the total will exceed $175,000,000, an over-subscription of 
more than seventy-five per cent.) Campaign and collection expenses 
totaled approximately $1 ,000,000 — less than six- tenths of one Cent for 
each dollar collected. 

It is estimated that more than 43,000,000 people contributed to the 
second war drive. 

Indicating that interest in the work of the American Red Cross is 
not confined to continental United States, substantial contributions 
were received from our insular possessions and from foreign countries, 
as shown by the following table: 



' Not including insular and foreign places and Alaska. 



20 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Table g 

COLLECTIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES, FIRST 
AND SECOND WAR DRIVES 

Argentina $316,347.29 

Brazil 109,719.99 

Canal Zone 57,849.98 

Chile 172,702.21 

China 97,020.47 

Cuba 242,382.4s 

Hawaii 490,931.25 

Japan 60,650.00 

Mexico 92,654.73 

Panama 17,391.50 

Peru 37.760.36 

Philippine Islands 206,522.35 

Porto Rico • • • 118,649.87 

Santo Domingo 78,196.33 

Uruguay 112,797.52 

Other foreign countries 86,084.79 

Total* $2, 297,661. 09 

' Includes contributions made direct to the Treasurer of the Red Cross. 



Ill 

WORK IN THE UNITED STATES 

GENERAL 

The field covered by this chapter includes a large number of distinct, 
important activities. Certain activities were conducted almost entirely 
by the chapters. Others were responsibilities of forces which reported 
to divisional and national headquarters. In all lines of work there was 
an intimate relationship between the local and central parts of the 
organization. In carrying on the activities that fell to them, chapters 
applied the general policies worked out at national headquarters and 
were aided by supervision extended by their divisional headquarters. 

There is, therefore, no clean-cut dividing line between work done by 
chapters and work done by the national and divisional organizations. 
There are, however, certain activities in which chapters played a pre- 
dominant part, and these may be placed in a group as related activi- 
ties. Likewise, activities in which the national and divisional organiza- 
tion played a predominant part may be placed in another group. This 
plan has been applied in the sections that follow, and, within the two 
major groups, each important line of work is discussed separately. 

CHAPTER ACTIVITIES 

Production of Relief A Hides 

Eight million chapter women, with the help of many of the junior 
members, produced in the twenty months ending February 28, 1919, 
over 371,500,000 relief articles, with a value of nearly $94,000,000, for 
the benefit of American and Allied soldiers and sailors and destitute 
civilians. 

For all of this work standards, designs and patterns were set by 
national headquarters. There, too, quantities to be produced were 
fixed and allotted to divisions and by the divisions to chapters. Mate- 
rials were ordered through a central point and distributed to chapters 



22 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 




Forei gn 
T>istribution 



■|B|ll|ii| 



50,000.000 
45.000.000 

•40.000.000 
35 .000,000 
30.000.000 
25.000.000 
20.000,000 
15.000.000 
10.000,000 
5.000,000 




Fran c e 

Siberia ^^^ 

Other Foreign . . I I 



Is 'o 



Foreign 

I>istribation 
Domestic' W^^M, 

Distribution ^^H 

fin ihe United States) 

Balance in r I 

Di\Asion Warehouses 1 I 

Februarij 28,1^1^ 



Diagram 2. Value and distribution, by classes, of chapter-produced 
articles. Twenty months ending February 28, iQig 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



23 



through divisional warehouses. By these and similar measures, every 
effort was made to have the entire work handled effectively. 

The table given below presents a classified list showing the quanti- 
ties and estimated values of these chapter-produced articles. The 
values given are conservative, representing only the cost of the material 
plus an allowance for labor at the rate of fifteen cents per hour on the 
time required by an average worker. Thus, for the total production 
value of approximately $93,978,000, $61,062,000 represents material 
and $32,916,000 represents labor. 

Table 10 

CLASSIFICATION OF RELIEF SUPPLIES PRODUCED BY CHAPTER WORKERS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 



Surgical dressings 

Hospital garments 

Hospital supplies 

Refugee garments 

Articles for soldiers and sailors 
Unclassified articles .... 

Total 



Quantity 



306,966,759 
17,462,400 
14,211,439 

6,328,982 
23,328,831 

3,279,053 

371. 577. 464 



Value 



$14,637,909.35 

22,969,585.59 

5,966,854.20 

7.779.055-73 

41,858,274.72 

766,316.30 

$93,977,995-89 



The greater part of these chapter-produced articles was sent over- 
seas, as shown in the following table: 

Table 11 

DISTRIBUTION OF CHAPTER-PRODUCED RELIEF SUPPLIES 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Shipped to France $38,059,137-35 

Shipped elsewhere overseas 12,527,036.26 

Sent to camps in the United States 28,997,721.43 

Balance on hand, February 28, 1919 14,394,100.85 

Total $93,977,995-89 



The value and distribution, by classes, of these supplies is presented 
graphically in Diagram 2 on the opposite page. 

Map 5 on page 24 presents a comparison between the thirteen Red 
Cross territorial divisions on the basis of value of produced articles 
per chapter member. 



24 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 




t^ (» ^- ^ ^ 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



25 



In addition to the production of Red Cross supplies, the Red Cross, 
through the chapter workers, undertook to make a great many special 
relief articles required by the Surgeon General of the Army, the Gov- 
ernment providing the raw materials, the Red Cross returning finished 
articles (without charge). Under this arrangement, 22,637,625 articles 
were produced with a total value of $3,334,000. 

The most important single activity of the junior members of the 
Red Cross was the part they took in producing relief articles. Their 
work in this connection was not confined to the standard articles made 
by chapter women, but extended to making furniture, games, splints 
and other hospital appliances, and specially prepared foods. It opened 
fields of service to boys as well as to girls. That the children played 
an important part is indicated first, by the fact that their production 
represented about ten per cent, of the whole, and second, by the 
following table presenting a list, with quantities and values, of the 
things they produced: 



Table 12 



CLASSIFlfeD LIST OF RELIEF ARTICLES PRODUCED BY THE 
JUNIOR RED CROSS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 



Surgical dressings 

Hospital supplies 

Hospital garments 

Refugee garments 

Articles for soldiers and sailors 

Sewing for convalescent and nurses' houses . 

Sewing for camps 

Furniture for convalescent and nurses' houses 

Furniture for Army 

Miscellaneous furniture 

Total 



Quantity 


Value 


(Pieces) 




6.057,720 


I363.463.20 


2,574.564 


772,369.20 


444.776 


578,208.80 - 


1,130,188 


1,808,300.80 


3,174.999 


5,238,748.35 


138,345 


69,172.50 


1,444.507 


722,253.50 


70,084 


404,384.68 


666,445 


193.341-33 


20,450 


2,219.60 


15,722,078 


110,152,461.96 



Home Service — Work for the Families of Soldiers and Sailors 

There was a common French saying during the war which ran, 
"We will win if the civilians hold out." The home service work of the 
Red Cross was developed to help in every way possible the families of 



26 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



soldiers and sailors, and, by preventing trouble and sorrow as far as it 
could be prevented, to affect helpfully the morale of the men in camps 
and overseas. 

The problems presented to home service workers are as numerous 
and varied as there are causes for human worry. Perhaps the children 
are sick, or the landlords are harsh, or employment is needed, or money 
is required to bridge a temporary need. It may be that discharged 
soldiers and sailors need a helping hand. Perhaps the family is con- 
tented, but wants information concerning allotments, allowances. 
Army regulations or something else. Whatever the problem, the Red 
Cross home service section is very willing to help. Meeting these and 
thousands of similar problems is the "home service" task. 

During the month of February, i9i»9,A;he Red Cross handled 297,000 
home service "cases," i. e., instances where services were rendered or 
information was given to families. 

It is estimated that home service extended to 500,000 families during 
the period covered by this report. 

The growth of home service work from February, 191 8 to February, 
1919, is shown graphically in Diagram 3, below. 



II 






'O 






<=> 






Cases m Which families Were furnished information "^^ os on 

(T, ..OP. =^ — 2U 


CNl 
















.V 








^^^^ Cfj 






■U- 









^H Cases in which families Were rendered service § ^ 

















e»l 






















1 1 






c^ 




1 






































































































































































— 

































V,- 






































r-?r-i 














































































































^ ■=> "^ 


































^'** 










1 « 


































# 








^. s5 


. 














































s 




^ 




h- 
































1 




1 




1 




-> 










Si 

























as 
2i 




1 




* 




^ 














Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug Sept. Oct. JVhv: Dec 


, ,Jan. Feb., \\ 


1 


1918 




J 


?JS 


) 


J 



Diagram 3. Home service rendered to families of soldiers and sailors, 
February, 1918, to February, 1919 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 27 

Money expended in this work is no measure of the work done, far 
less of its value. While thousands of families were helped financially, 
the greatest help was in the personal services rendered by the workers. 
Nevertheless, up to February 28, 1919, the chapters had spent $8,790,- 
000 on this work, while national headquarters expended $1,204,730.61 
in operating the civilian relief bureaus in headquarters' cities through 
which the home service sections were organized, the workers trained, 
the work developed and supervised and many matters attended to that 
could not be handled locally. 

At the start of home service work, the chief difficulty was to provide 
trained workers. The supply was limited to those chapter workers 
who could enter a home and really assist the family without undermin- 
ing self-respect or the ability for self-support, and who could spare the 
time for the work. To train new workers, home service institutes were 
organized by the divisions, and courses were given through the chap- 
ters. In both the institute and the chapter courses the training con- 
sisted of class-room study and actual field work in home service. 

With these trained workers as a nucleus, home service sections were 
established within the chapters. On February 28, 1919, there were 
3,618 sections with 11,190 branches and with 50,000 workers devoting 
all or part of their time to the work. 

Practically every square mile in continental United States is now 
covered by home service sections, the distribution of which by States 
is shown by Map 6, on the following page. 

Canteen Service 

The Red Cross canteen service was developed to give supplementary 
food, or complete meals, to moving troops, as well as to distribute 
other articles that would relieve the tedium of the journey; also to 
render personal services to both sick and well troops en route to and 
from camps and points of embarkation. Many canteens were equipped 
with rest and reading rooms, shower baths, etc. 

On November i, 191 8, just before the armistice, there were 55,000 
canteen workers and 700 canteens. The location of the canteens is 
indicated by Map 7 on page 30. 

During the twenty months ending February 28, 1919, more than 
587,000 men who were ill or injured were given medical aid that en- 
abled them to proceed on their journey, while 9,700 men who were too 
ill to travel were transferred to hospitals. 



28 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 




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• •'J-'^' * . • I. • ?• --v ..' 1 






S 2^ 

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STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 29 

In the same period, refreshments were served 40,000,000 times. In 
other words, each of the soldiers, sailors and marines in the service of 
the United States during the war was served with free refreshments by 
the Red Cross canteen workers on an average of eight times. A classi- 
fication of the men receiving Red Cross canteen service is given below: 

Table 13 

REFRESHMENTS SERVED FREE BY RED CROSS CANTEENS IN U.S. 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, IQ19 

Soldiers 35.952,597 

Sailors 2,423,408 

Marines 356,195 

Drafted men 1,216,533 

Total 39,948,733 

A list of the more important items distributed by the canteens fol- 
lows: 

Table 14 

SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTED FREE BY RED CROSS CANTEENS IN U.S. 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Food 

Candy . 499,059 (lbs.) 

Chocolate 5,604,349 (bars) 

Coffee 1,497,096 (gals.) 

Cookies, doughnuts, pies 10,852,352 

Fruit 162,845 (bu.) 

Icecream 50,117 (qts.) 

Iced drinks 144,059 (gals.) 

Lunches 769,368 

Meals 794,112 

Sandwiches 14,824,869 

Other supplies 

Cigarettes 70,518,141 

Cigars 185,632 

Gum 2,039,331 

Magazines 2,225,835 

Matches 7,968,829 

Newspapers 584,752 

Post cards 15,956,219 

Soap, cakes 77.771 

Telegrams sent 21,920 

Tobacco ■ 108,949 (lbs.) 

Towels, paper 158,261 



30 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 




•• * ..j V. ;. i::*/.«.-Vi-^*__A''^-M 
-•.x.^._.i.;_ r . ^:-' — I S 




STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 3I 

Motor Corps Service 

The Red Cross motor service was developed to render supplementary 
aid to the Army and Navy in transporting troops and supplies, and to 
assist other Red Cross workers in conducting their various relief activi- 
ties. The service is composed of a number of chapter motor corps, 
consisting of volunteer women who give at least sixteen hours a week of 
their time. 

Although this activity was commenced early in the war, it did not 
grow to large size until the summer and fall of 191 8. On November i, 
1918, there were over 12,000 motor corps workers, most of whom were 
donating not only their time, but also the use of their cars. 

During the twenty months ending February 28, 1919, a mileage of 
more than 3,572,000 miles was covered by the automobiles operated by 
the motor corps. The diverse character of the work during this period 
is indicated below: 

Table IS 

HOURS OF SERVICE OF RED CROSS MOTOR CORPS 
WORKERS IN U. S. 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 

Canteen work 65,079 

Military hospitals 193.954 

Camps and cantonments 57. 072 

Home service workers 104,858 

Outside aid 80,256 

Other A. R. C. activities 223,044 

Office detail 110,484 

Miscellaneous (including influenza epidemic) 246,946 

Total 1.081,693 

Red Cross Work in Spanish Influenza Epidemic 

The activities of chapters are a myriad. The work touched on in the 
preceding sections of this chapter has all been of a distinctly war 
character. However, even during the war period the tasks regularly 
assumed during peace times were not ignored. While these tasks are 
too numerous to be mentioned in this report, an illustration of the 
type of work that chapters undertake aside from the special obliga- 
tions of a war nature, may be given by citing the Red Cross work dur- 
ing the Spanish influenza epidemic. 

The Red Cross threw all its available resources into the common 
fight against this disease. Hospitals were furnished equipment and 



32 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

supplies, and assisted in every possible way. Convalescent houses and 
diet kitchens were established and operated, and food and other neces- 
sary supplies were distributed. More than 18,000 nurses and other 
workers were furnished by the Red Cross chapters to care for the sick. 
Countless face masks were made and distributed. The motor corps 
helped substantially. The entire national organization worked as an 
active auxiliary of the United States Public Health Service. Up to 
February 28, 1919, while the disease was still active, about two million 
dollars had been expended by the organization in its work. 

Instruction in First Aid 

The object of the Red Cross instruction in first aid given through 
chapters is to teach men and women how to render emergency assis- 
tance when injuries occur and a physician is not at hand. During the 
period covered by this report 5,728 classes were held and instruction in 
first aid was given by 2,864 teachers and examiners. 63,008 students 
completed the course, passed the examination, and were given the 
Red Cross first aid certificates. 

ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL AND DIVISIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 

Nursing Service 

The Red Cross nursing service might well be termed the epitome of 
the Red Cross as a whole. Always one of the most important branches 
of the organization, its importance is greatly enhanced with the coming 
of war. During the war period, its principal task was to secure and 
equip trained nurses for the Army and Navy. 

During the twenty months ending February 28, 1919, 23,822 nurses 
were enrolled as Red Cross nurses. Of these, 19,931 nurses were 
assigned to active duty with the Army, Navy, United States Public 
Health Service and the Red Cross overseas service. 

Of the number of nurses assigned, 17,986 went to the Army, 1,058 
to the Navy, 284 to the United States Public Health Service, and 603 
to the overseas service of the Red Cross. 

Over eighty per cent, of the nurses in the Army Nurse Corps, and 
over sixty per cent, of those in the Navy Nurse Corps, were mobilized 
by the Red Cross. 

In addition to the numbers mentioned above 1,177 nurses who were 
not able to undertake active overseas service were enrolled as home 
defense nurses. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 33 

Vitally related to the above was the enrolment of 2,248 nurses' aids, 
i.e., women with a practical knowledge of nursing, and the enrolment 
of 2,558 dietitians. 

While the war phase of the nursing work naturally had first interest 
during the war period, peace-time activities were not overlooked. 

Public health nursing, which involves community nurses whose duty 
it is to perform nursing and other public health services within the 
territory assigned to them, and which promises to be one of the largest 
peace-time activities of the organization, was continually developed. 
Communities are encouraged to employ such workers and the Red 
Cross trains, recruits and assigns qualified nurses for this work. A 
great deal of educational work is done, and nurses are helped to obtain 
the necessary special training by scholarships, loans, etc. 

Considerable progress was made in the teaching of home hygiene and 
care of the sick, and home dietetics — also important branches of the 
regular nursing service work. In the twenty months ending February 
28, 1919, over 5,000 classes were held in home hygiene and care of the 
sick in which 80,000 students were enrolled and over 60,000 certified 
upon the completion of the courses; over 500 classes were held in home 
dietetics, and more than 4,500 students certified. 

Approximately $3,500,000 was appropriated during the twenty 
months ending February 28, 1919, for carrying on the various phases 
of the nursing service work in the United States. A single item con- 
sisted of an appropriation of more than $3,000,000 for equipment of 
nurses who were sent into overseas service. The operation of the nurs- 
ing bureaus at national and divisional headquarters which direct and 
carry on all of the work described above cost approximately $465,000. 

Camp Service 

It is believed that through its "camp service" the Red Cross helped 
in some way practically every soldier, sailor and marine in the service 
of the United States. 

This activity, the object of which was to assist the Army and Navy 
authorities to promote the well-being of soldiers and sailors in the 
United States, involved the distribution of comfort articles, the render- 
ing of service to men in hospitals, the operation of a communication 
service between men and their families and other work of a similar 
nature. 

The operations of the camp service have extended to 339 camps, 
hospitals and other military and naval establishments in the United 



34 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



States. The places where this service was conducted are shown in 
Map 8 below. 

To perform the duties assigned to it, the Red Cross found it necessary 
to construct a number of buildings in the various military and naval 
establishments. Up to February 28, 1919, 250 buildings were erected, 




Map 8. 339 military and naval stations in U. S. where 
camp service was conducted 

including ninety-two convalescent houses where soldiers and sailors 
on the road to recovery could pass their leisure time and find recreation, 
and sixty-one nurses' houses where nurses could rest and amuse them- 
selves when not at work. Obviously, the good accomplished by these 
houses cannot be measured statistically, but a classified list of such 
houses follows: 

Table 16 

RED CROSS BUILDINGS IN CAMPS IN U. S. 

February 28, 1919 

Convalescent houses 92 

Nurses' houses 61 

Headquarters 45 

Warehouses 14 

Garages 28 

Other 10 

Total 250 

The buildings and equipment cost approximately $3,000,000. 
One of the principal services rendered by the Red Cross in camps was 
the free distribution of comfort articles and other similar supplies. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



35 



These supplies were often given out at the specific request of com- 
manding officers who had found that certain articles were needed and 
needed quickly by their men. Supplies were not distributed without 
the permission of the commanding officer. 

Approximately 2,700 kinds of articles were distributed free. A list 
of some of the principal articles distributed follows: 

Table 17 

SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES DISTRIBUTED FREE IN CAMPS AND 
HOSPITALS IN U. S. BY THE RED CROSS 



Twenty 

Bags, laundry, etc. . . 

Bags, hot water .... 

Blankets 

Books 

Candy 

Canned fruits and vege- 
tables 

Chairs, invalid .... 

Chewing gum 

Chocolate 

Chocolate bars .... 

Christmas packages . . 

Cigarettes 8, 

Cigars 

Coat hangers 

Comforters and quilts . 

Comfort kits and bags . 

Combs 

Crutches 

Cups, paper drinking 

Envelopes 3, 

Fans, palm leaf .... 

Fly swatters 

Front line parcels . . . 

Games, checkers, card 
games, etc 

Gloves 

Handkerchiefs .... 

Jackets 

Jam and jelly ..... 

Knitted articles: 

Afghans 

Helmets 

Mufflers 

Socks 3, 

Sweaters 4, 

Wristlets i. 

Other knitted articles 



Months Binding February 28, 1919 



343.960 
1,126 

77.879 
59.780 
14.701 



(lbs.) 



5,445 (cans) 
1,907 
38,461 (pkgs.) 

2,839 (lbs.) 

90,375 

616,884 

746,297 

22,930 

22,035 

68,984 

963.605 

34.249 

1.233 

844,930 

.502,247 

5.722 

7.813 

27,887 

160,293 
182,611 (prs.) 
355.191 

25.654 

63,106 (cans) 

7.142 
985,841 
901,830 
592,126 (prs.) 
208,935 
199,420 

3.801 



Magazines 

Masks, contagious . . . 

Masks, operating . . . 

Musical instruments: 

Pianos 

Phonographs .... 
Other musical instru- 
ments 

Olives 

Oranges 

Overshoes 

Pajamas 

Pencils 

Pillows 

Pillow cases 

Pipes 

Razors 

Razor blades, safety . . 

Robes, bath, convales- 
cent, etc 

Scrap books 

Shaving soap 

Shaving brushes .... 

Sheets, bed 

Shirts 

Slippers 

Soap 

Soap, liquid 

Socks, cotton, bed, etc. . 

Surgical dressings . . . 

Surgical instruments . . 

Tobacco . 

Tooth brushes .... 

Tooth paste and powder 

Towels, hand 

Towels, dish 

Toweling, yards .... 

Writing paper .... 

Writing paper .... 



14.324 

1.399.785 

15.037 

31 
61S 

131 

24 (gals.) 
26,316 
28,233 (prs.) 
1,188,062 (suits) 
23,680 

55.749 
98,078 
16,351 
19.971 
19,010 



65,224 
14.651 
40,349 
17.414 

154.693 
29.389 
45.618 

138,500 

2,380 

57.619 

661,676 

5.995 

64,836 

223,414 

25.237 

278,958 

60,939 

1. 513 

6,307.074 

477.353 



(prs.) 

(cakes) 

(gals.) 

(prs.) 

(pkgs.) 

(pkgs.) 

(pkgs.) 



(shts.) 
(tabs.) 



36 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

In a sense, the most important phase of camp service consisted of the 
work done for sick and wounded men in the military hospitals in this 
country. The task was one of personal service — doing the thousand 
and one things that the regular hospital staff could not possibly do. As 
far as possible, each patient was visited every day. The following table 
presents statistically a record of a few of the services performed : 

Table i8 

HOSPITAL SERVICES IN U. S. 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, ipig 

Visits to sick in wards 2,539,907 

Telegrams sent 54,709 

Home service cases 42,483 

Sheets writing paper issued 6,052,037 

Post cards issued 284,227 

Tablets issued 120,006 

Stamps issued 759.507 

Entertainment given 7,976 

Among their other duties the Red Cross representatives in camps 
and hospitals handle what are known as "home service cases." Thou- 
sands of situations arise in which soldiers and sailors become worried 
about their home affairs; they tell their troubles to the Red Cross 
representative, and he communicates with the local chapter workers 
who do their best to straighten out the difficulties. It sometimes 
happens that the domestic situation of a soldier or sailor becomes so 
critical as to make a furlough or even a discharge advisable. In such 
cases the Red Cross representative ascertains the true situation 
through home service channels, and communicates with the command- 
ing officer. Following is a record of this work: 

Table ig 

HOME SERVICE CASES IN CAMPS IN U. S. 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Furlough investigations , 21,373 

Discharge investigations 19,298 

Home service cases 173,845 

It was often both a necessity and a privilege to make small loans to 
men in camps in great need because of temporary financial worries. 
Loans were restricted to legitimate causes, and were made with ap- 
proval of commanding officers to boys called home by critical illness of 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



37 



mother or other close relatives, to casuals or men invalided home from 
overseas whose pay was in arrears, to assist men commissioned from 
the ranks in securing outfits, etc. Up to February 28, 1919, 25,803 
loans were made, amounting to over $325,000. 

All of the Red Cross work in each camp or hospital was carried on by 
a field director, aided by assistants, home service and hospital workers 
etc. On February 28, 1919, 1,584 people were engaged in the work. 

Camp service work in the United States, taken all together, required 
expenditures aggregating about $38,000,000 during the twenty months 
ending February 28, 1919. Of this, about $6,000,000 went to purchase 
supplies and for all other cash expenditures, about $29,000,000 repre- 
sents the value of chapter-produced supplies sent to the camps for 
distribution and about $3,000,000 was used in constructing buildings. 
The operation of the military relief bureaus at national and divisional 
headquarters which developed and supervised all of this work, as well 
as related activities, cost a little less than $570,000. Mention may also 
be made in this connection of contributions aggregating $300,000 to the 
(Federal) Commission on Training Camp Activities — organized by the 
Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy for work involving 
recreation and health of American soldiers and sailors. 




Map g. 37 Red Cross sanitary units in U. S., February 2S, 1919 



38 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Sanitary Service 

Closely related to the camp service just described is the Red Cross 
sanitary service, embracing sanitary units, made up of bacteriologists, 
sanitary engineers and inspectors, Red Cross public health nurses, 
other trained workers and laborers, which assisted Federal, State and 
local authorities in securing sanitary conditions in the civil districts 
surrounding or adjacent to cantonments, camps and naval bases. 

There were thirty-seven such units, covering in their work approxi- 
mately 1,200 square miles, and located as shown on Map 9 on the 
preceding page. 

Perhaps the most vital part of the work of these units was in helping 
to blot out certain diseases and in preventing the spread of others. 
During the twenty months ending February 28, 1919, 391,756 anti- 
typhoid inoculations and 153,543 smallpox vaccinations were made. 
The extent of the anti-malaria work during the same period is indicated 
by the following figures: 

Table 20 

RED CROSS SANITARY SERVICE IN THE PREVENTION OF 
MALARIA IN U. S. 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Area of malarial control operations (square miles) 749 

Oil drip stations in operation 881 

Gallons oil distributed 279,093 

Miles new ditches constructed 1.706 

Miles other ditches cleared 1,800 

The helpfulness of the sanitary inspection work which formed part 
of the program is suggested by the table that follows : 

Table 21 

RED CROSS SANITARY INSPECTIONS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Supervision of water supplies 

Local water supplies inspected 13,448 

Water supplies found to be polluted 3.043 

Bacteriological examinations made 16,180 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 39 

Inspection of food supplies 

Restaurants and meat markets inspected 145,869 

Restaurants closed 787 

Dairies 

Inspection of dairies 22,795 

Dairies inspected 7>454 

Cows tested for tuberculosis 29,504 

Cows found infected 373 

Physical examinations of dairy employees and food handlers 62,719 

Disposal of sewerage and garbage 

Sewerage 

Rural homes visited and inspected 80,892 

Vaults constructed i3.490 

Sanitary privies installed 36.097 

Garbage 

Premises inspected 282,348 

The work described above required 194,250 bacteriological labora- 
tory examinations. Closely related to this laboratory work was the 
work of four mobile (railway car) laboratories which were equipped to 
assist when epidemics threatened Army or Navy camps. Up to Feb- 
ruary 28, 1919, these cars had answered nine emergency calls and 
treated 8,276 cases. 

To assist in blotting out the so-called "social diseases" near camps and 
cantonments, the units operated twenty-eight dispensaries and treated 
over 40,000 cases. 

The public health nursing phases of the sanitary work deserve special 
note because of the important part such work is destined to play here- 
after; its extent and nature are indicated below: 

Table 22 

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING WITHIN SANITARY ZONES 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, IQIQ 

Visits made by nursing personnel 

New patients visited 53.6i8 

Nursing visits 90,602 

Instruction visits 104,818 

School visits 21,094 

Follow-up visits 73. 811 

Total nursing visits 343.943 

School medical inspection 

Schools where inspection work was done S62 

Children examined 229,030 

Children found defective 81,983 

Corrections reported 4.389 



40 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

The entire sanitary service work of the Red Cross during the twenty 
months ending February 28, 1919, cost a Uttle less than |6oo,ooo. 

Communication Work 

Throughout the war the Bureau of Communication at national 
headquarters answered requests for information concerning American 
soldiers and sailors sent in by relations and friends from over 600,000 
American homes. It had 400 searchers in France, one with every 
division and one at every American base hospital. 

It required over 300 workers at national headquarter. More than 
100,000 letters a week went through this Bureau. The entire cost of 
operating this Bureau and the Bureau working along similar Hues for 
prisoners of war was, during the twenty months ending February 28, 
1919, $184,324.53. 

Disaster Relief 

Relief of sufferers in disasters has always been a function of the Red 
Cross. Many calls for this kind of relief were met during the war 
period, but it is possible to make only brief mention of the work in this 
report. 

During the twenty months ending February 28, 1919, assistance was 
rendered in twenty-five major disasters, twenty in the United States 
and five abroad. The range included such occurrences as the Halifax 
and Perth Amboy explosions, the Minnesota forest fires, Tien Tsin 
flood, etc. A classified list is given below: 

Table 23 

CLASSIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL DISASTERS IN WHICH THE 
RED CROSS RENDERED AID 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igiQ 

Fires 7 

Storms, cyclones, and tornadoes 6 

Earthquakes 4 

Floods 3 

Explosions 3 

Wreck i 

Race riot i 

Total 25 

For disaster relief work, nearly $1,500,000 was set aside by national 
headquarters and the chapters. 



STATEMENT OFACCOMPLISHMENT 4I 

Life-Saving Work 

Instruction in life-saving is one of the less known but nevertheless 
important activities of the Red Cross in the United States. In order 
to reduce the large annual loss by drowning, the Red Cross employs a 
life-saving expert who gives lectures and demonstrations throughout 
the country and organizes life-saving corps among local groups such as 
municipal police departments and branches of the Y. M. C. A. Dur- 
ing the twenty months ending February 28, 1919, 191,108 were in- 
structed in life-saving practices. 

Organization of Base Hospitals 

An important activity of the Red Cross during the first months of 
the war was organizing and equipping base hospitals for service with 
the Army and Navy. The necessary personnel was usually recruited 
from the staffs of civil hospitals in the larger cities. Altogether fifty- 
eight base hospitals were organized, fifty for the Army and eight for 
the Navy ; forty-seven of these were equipped by Red Cross chapters 
with complete outfits of beds, beddings, surgical instruments and other 
supplies and accessories, all of which were presented to the Govern- 
ment when the units were mustered in. Of the total, fifty-four served 
overseas, and four in this country. 

In connection with this work, the Red Cross enrolled, in addition to 
nurses, orderlies, etc., 2,489 physicians and fifty chaplains for service 
with the forces of the United States. 

The chapters of the Red Cross spent, in round figures, $3,000,000 in 
equipping such hospitals. In addition, national headquarters made a 
number of appropriations to meet special needs of the hospitals, in- 
cluding replacements of outfits and instruments lost at sea, storage and 
assembling charges, special instruments and equipment and contin- 
gency funds out of which special foods, etc., could be provided for 
invalids. 

Organization of Ambulance Companies 

Another and somewhat similar task undertaken for the Surgeon Gen- 
eral of the Army involved recruiting and organizing personnel into 
ambulance companies. Forty-seven such companies were organized 
by the Red Cross, with a personnel of 4,760 men. After bringing these 
men together and instructing them in first-aid, the Red Cross turned 
them over to the Army and they were at once mustered into the 
service. All companies saw service overseas. In a few instances 



42 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

equipment was provided by the Red Cross but usually by the Army. 
The equipment for these companies included 564 ambulances and 141 
trucks. 

A directly related service consisted in the securing of contributions 
for, and purchasing of, several hundred ambulances which were sent 
overseas for use with the hospitals conducted by the Red Cross and in 
supplementing the Army's ambulance service. Approximately $250,000 
was contributed and expended in this way. 

Other Medical and Hospital Work 

While the work done in organizing base hospitals and ambulance 
companies embraced the largest single tasks along hospital and 
medical lines that the Red Cross performed in the United States, the 
many other activities undertaken in the same general fields are illus- 
trative of the part it played in supplementing the work of the Federal 
authorities. 

The number of such supplementary activities is so large that it is 
practicable to name only certain of the more important, as follows: 
providing for costs of training reconstruction workers; equipment of 
workshop for re-educating crippled soldiers ; equipping mobile operat- 
ing unit; contribution to aid in providing free dental service to re- 
cruits first rejected because of dental troubles; allowance for expenses, 
enabling United States Army physicians to attend professional con- 
ventions; providing repairs to and supplies for hospital operated in 
Virgin Islands by United States Navy for natives, etc. 

Mention may also be made in this connection of a contribution of 
$2,500,000 to the National Tuberculosis Association in support of the 
national anti-tuberculosis work carried on by that Association. 

Red Cross Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men 

This Institute assists the Government in its problems of re-educating 
crippled and disabled soldiers. The work of the Institute has, of 
course, been supplementary to that of the Government, but it has in- 
volved such important activities as making studies concerning the 
accomplishments of other countries in the field of rehabilitation, indus- 
trial surveys determining trades for cripples, training teachers, training 
disabled men, and securing employment for cripples in various lines of 
industry. A large general educational work has been done to teach 
cripples of the possibilities through training, to interest employers, and 
to further public interest. About seven million pamphlets have been 
issued and over 300 lectures given in this connection. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 43 

Up to February 28, 1919, nearly $265,000 was appropriated for 
operating this Institution. 

The comprehensiveness of the field covered by the 542 industrial 
surveys which have been made is evidenced by the fact that 1,500 
factories and 100 trade associations (national or local) have been 
visited and the names listed of 1,000 firms, embracing fifty trades, 
which are willing to employ cripples. The results secured by such 
work have an obvious value for civilian as well as military cripples. 

Red Cross Institute for the Blind 

This Institute was organized at the request of the Surgeon General 
of the Army to cooperate with General Hospital No. 7 and the Federal 
Board for Vocational Education in caring for blind soldiers and sailors. 
Its work has included industrial surveys, evolving courses of instruc- 
tion and providing recreational facilities such as entertainments and 
libraries of books with raised type. 

Toward the close of the period covered by this report it was decided 
that this Institute would be responsible for the entire problem of 
feeding, housing and training the blind of the American Expeditionary 
Forces. The Red Cross thus became charged with the care of over 125 
blind soldiers and sailors, whom it undertook to train in many special 
courses. 

To February 28, 1919, $173,961.66 had been appropriated to carry 
on the work of the Red Cross Institute for the Blind. 

Supplies Operations in the United States 

The Department of Supplies at national headquarters, with branches 
in all divisions, was responsible for all centralized purchasing, operation 
of divisional and port warehouses, and transportation arrangements 
both within the United States and to overseas points. The size of its 
task is indicated by the following table: 

Table 24 

SUPPLIES TRANSACTIONS IN U. S. 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Cost of raw materials shipped to chapters to be made up into relief supplies $31,800,000 
Estimated approximate value of finished relief supplies received from 

chapters 94,000,000 

Relief supplies purchased for shipment to camps in this country 4,600,000 

Purchased supplies shipped to A. R. C. commissions overseas (excluding 

chapter-produced articles) 31,000,000 

Total $161,400,000 



44 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

The cost of conducting the entire Department including divisional 
and port warehouses was, during the twenty months ending February 
28, 1919, $5,530,346. If this amount is measured against the supply 
transactions shown above, it will be seen that the percentage ratio of 
operating expense to transactions is three and four-tenths per cent. 

Transportation in the United States on relief supplies cost the Red 
Cross over $2,400,000, $290,000 of which was borne by the chapters, 
the balance by national headquarters. 

Nearly $1,750,000 was appropriated for insuring goods shipped over- 
seas against war and marine risk. 

The value of purchased goods shipped overseas up to February 28, 
1919, was over $31,000,000. If the value of chapter-produced articles 
were added, the amount would be increased by more than $50,000,000, 
so that overseas shipments exceeded eighty millions of dollars. Large 
purchases, aggregating millions of dollars, were also made in various 
parts of Europe. 



Value 'Percent of total 

Foodstuffs ^g.goo.ooo I i 31-73 

Clothing 4.600.000 I 1 14-74 

Textiles 4,600,000 \ 1 , '14-74 

IBlanXets 3.500.000 1 I 11-22 

Wis cell aneous 3,500.000 I 1 11-22 

Motor '[Chicles and 
JVTachJnes 2., 100. 000 ^B 6-73 

Surcfical Instruments 
and Supplies 1.500.000 ^H 4- si 

Hospital Supplies, i.ioo.ooo H 3-53 

Dru^s 300.000 i -96 

Jobber Goods 100.000 I -32 



Diagram 4. Purchased supplies shipped overseas for Red Cross 
work, classified by kind and value. Twenty months 
ending February 28, igig 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 45 

Following is a table showing for all supplies, including chapter- 
produced articles, the tonnage shipped to the several countries in- 
volved, and on page 44 (Diagram 4) purchased supplies shipped over- 
seas are classified by kind and value. 

Table 25 

TONS OF SUPPLIES SHIPPED FROM U. S. OVERSEAS 
FOR RED CROSS WORK 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 

(Tons of 2,000 pounds) 

American prisoners of war 1,207 

Balkans (as a whole) S.79i 

England 2,930 

France 52,000 

Italy 16,992 

Palestine 1,118 

Russia S.842 

Serbian prisoners of war 10,238 

Siberia 3.Sii 

Miscellaneous 1.465 



Total 101,094 » 

Personnel 

The workers in chapters are counted by the million, and practically 
all are volunteers. On February 28, 1919, the forces comprising na- 
tional and divisional headquarters, overseas workers, etc. aggregated 
14,625 people. Of these 1,921 were volunteers and 12,704 paid workers. 
Table 26 on pages 46 and 47 shows the location of these workers, with 
classified salaries to the extent paid. The amounts paid a very large 
proportion of the "paid workers" represented what were in effect "living" 
or expense allowances. The noticeably small number of substantial 
salaries is due, of course, to the fact that practically all of the most 
important posts were filled by volunteers — the exceptions being spe- 
cialists whose resources would not permit of their serving without 
remuneration. 

• This table does not include the large quantities of supplies purchased in Europe. 



46 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Table 26 

SCHEDULE OF PERSONNEL AND SALARIES OF THE 
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION 

February 28, IQIQ 





$600 


$600 


$1,000 


|i,5oc 


$2,000 


$2,500 


$3,000 


$4,000 




or 


to 


to 


to 


to 


to 


to 


to 




Less 


$1,000 


$1,500 


$2,000 


$2,500 


$3,000 


$4,000 


$5,000 


National headquarters . . . 


86 


321 


551 


70 


45 


41 


24 


12 


Total all divisions 


191 


1,318 


1,117 


223 


123 


41 


63 


20 


Other locations in U. S. 


















Camp service 


84 


189 


309 


206 


52 


5 


5 




Sanitary service 


10 


16 


100 


10 










Port warehouses 


3 


21 


57 


6 


3 


I 


I 




Institute for Blind .... 




2 


4 


2 


I 




2 




Institute for Crippled and 


















Disabled Men 


2 


16 


21 


17 


4 


3 


I 


I 


Red Cross Magazine . . . 


3 


3 


6 


I 


I 


I 


3 


5 


Total other locations in 


















U. S 


102 


247 


497 


242 


61 


ID 


12 


6 


Total in United States . 


379 


1,886 


2,165 


535 


229 


92 


99 


38 


Foreign commissions 


















Commission to France . . 


1,260 


1,150 


1. 175 


1,200 


64 


126 


48 


20 


Commission to Italy . . . 


219 


94 


154 


69 


46 


16 


9 


3 


Commission to Great Britain 


218 


253 


71 


66 


6 


19 


I 


4 


Commission to Switzerland 


14 


19 


3 


29 


6 


3 


I 


I 


Other foreign 


179 


136 


75 


29 


47 


287 


79 


29 


Total foreign commissions 


1,890 


1-652 


1,478 


1.393 


169 


451 


138 


57 


Grand total 


2,269 


3.538 


3.643 


1,928 


398 


543 


237 


95 









Table 26 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 
SCHEDULE OF PERSONNEL AND SALARIES OF THE 

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION — Continued 
February 28, igig 



47 





SS.ooo 

to 
16,000 


$6,000 

to 
S7.800 


$7,800 

to 
$10,000 


$10,000 

to 
$15,000 


Total 


Volun- 
teers 


Grand 
Total 


National headquarters . . . 


3 
3 


3 

I 


5 


I 


1,162 


67 

442 


1,229 


Total all divisions 


3,100 


3.542 


Other locations in U. S. 






Camp service 










850 


207 


1.057 


Sanitary service 










136 


97 


233 


Port warehouses 










92 




92 


Institute for Blind .... 


3 








14 


20 


34 


Institute for Crippled and 
















Disabled Men 


I 








66 


4 


70 


Red Cross Magazine . . . 


— 


- 


I 


- 


24 




24 


Total other locations in 








U. S 


4 
10 


4 


I 
6 


I 


1,182 


328 


1. 510 


Total in United States . 


5.444 


837 


6,281 


Foreign commissions 




Commission to France . . 


15 








5.058 


802 


5,860 


Commission to Italy . . . 


4 








614 


36 


650 


Commission to Great Britain 


3 








641 


240 


881 


Commission to Svi^itzerland 










76 




76 


Other foreign 


10 
32 
42 


4 


6 


I 


871 


6 

1,084 


877 


Total foreign commissions 


7,260 


8.344 


Grand total 


12,704 


1,921 


14,625 



















The Administrative Organization in the United States 

Behind all of the work described in the preceding pages, and sup- 
porting all overseas work outlined in the chapters which follow, there 
are the directing or "business" parts of the organization, comprising 
together what may well be termed "management forces." This group 
includes general and divisional management staff and financial, ac- 
counting, development, etc., bureaus. Its main tasks are to establish 
general policies, coordinate the work of all parts of the organization, and 
to attend to its business affairs. 



48 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

The results of the work of this part of the organization do not lend 
themselves to statistical measurement. Perhaps the best measurement 
would be that based on a judgment of the Red Cross work as a whole, 
in that this is the field influenced. 

The cost of operating all management or administration bureaus in 
national and divisional headquarters during the twenty months ending 
February 28, 1919, was $4,359,758.03. Following are certain compari- 
sons based on this cost : 

Of each dollar received, one and seven-tenths cents was spent for 
"management." 

The percentage ratio of "management" to "relief" was one and eight- 
tenths per cent.^° 

1" This ratio is based on detailed computations, the basis of which is set forth specifically 
in published financial reports. 



IV 

WORK IN FRANCE 

GENERAL 

The mere recording of the definite services embraced in the Red 
Cross work in France will never approximate the story of what that 
work meant or of its results and value. This report is limited to the 
stating of facts. It must be hoped that the imagination of the reader, 
with the definite record before him, will translate the facts into a story 
wherein life and death and humanity play the part that they did in the 
work. 

The Red Cross went to France to render service. This end was 
never lost sight of. It was controlling in all emergencies; indeed, the 
whole work was of an emergency nature. Formality or binding rou- 
tine had no place. There was no time for elaborate statistical tabula- 
tion of work done. Statistics are lacking in many lines of work. 
Nevertheless, enough statistics are available to suggest the range and 
comprehensiveness not only of the particular lines covered, but of the 
work as a whole. No doubt certain statistics are incomplete, due to the 
conditions under which they were prepared, but they are never too 
large. 

France was at once the seat of the most important theatre of war, the 
location of most of the American troops in overseas service, and the 
country whose civilians had suffered most keenly from the war. 

As a result, it was also the seat of the most important operations of 
the Red Cross during the war. 

In that country, the war had vitally affected every family in every 
village. In doing its work, the Red Cross found it necessary to pene- 
trate into every section of the land. Map lo, on page 50, shows the 
locations of the Red Cross operations in France. 

Cash appropriated for the work in France during the twenty months 
ending February 28, 1919, aggregated over $57,000,000. To this may 
be added $38,000,000 representing the value of chapter-produced 
relief supplies shipped to France, making a total of $95,000,000 for 



50 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 




STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 5I 

the twenty months' work in that country. The table that follows shows 
by major classifications of work how the total amount appropriated 
for cash expenditure was used : 

Table 27 

APPROPRIATIONS FOR CASH EXPENDITURE IN FRANCE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, IQIQ 

Canteens and rest stations $3,162,916.83 

General services for American Expeditionary Forces 11,349,970.42 

Care of refugees 9,225,806.34 

Care of children 3. 013. 505-93 

Medical and surgical service 3. 7ii. 783-55 

Hospital supply service 2,143,697.45 

Tuberculosis relief 2,372,619.61 

Surgical dressing stations 3,311,017.84 

Nursing service 1,239,292.58 

Aid to disabled soldiers 623,746.23 

Relief of French soldiers' families 3,825,971.03 

Aid to French Red Cross 1,751,493.69 

Transport service 5,298,663.29 

Other relief operations 2,313,546.90 

Miscellaneous 3,862,972.26 



Total ■ $57,207,003.95 

HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL WORK, WITH ARMIES AND NAVY 

Hospitals for American and Allied Troops 

There were twenty-four Red Cross hospitals In France operated to 
assist the medical service of the United States Army. Although dif- 
ferent circumstances surrounded the establishment and maintenance 
of each one of these hospitals, it is generally true that they were oper- 
ated jointly by the American Red Cross and the United States Army 
under an arrangement by which the Red Cross supplied the manage- 
ment and equipment, and the Army furnished the scientific personnel. 
However, the Red Cross often assumed complete direction of the hos- 
pital, and sometimes furnished physicians and nurses. 

Most of these hospitals were conducted for sick and wounded Ameri- 
can soldiers, but, of course, French and other Allied troops were also 
admitted. One hospital was operated for the American Navy, one for 
Czecho-Slovak troops, one for Army auxiliary personnel, such as the 
Y. M. C. A., the Knights of Columbus and the Red Cross, and one 
for neighboring civilian personnel whose health had become a menace 
to American soldiers. 



52 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

A summary of the work performed in all of these twenty-four hos- 
pitals, based on incomplete records, is shown below : 

Table 28 

WORK IN TWENTY-FOUR RED CROSS MILITARY HOSPITALS IN FRANCE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, iQig 

Patient days 1,154,854 

Patients admitted 91.356 

Patients died 1.457 

X-ray examinations 29,050 

Foreign bodies located , 8,297 

Bacterial counts 8,235 

Blood examinations 6,827 

Cultures 10,008 

Operations 22,508 

Beds 14,890 

Maximum bed expansion 17.751 

The growth of the Red Cross military hospital service during the 
months in which America was actively engaged in the fighting is shown 
in the following diagram. 




Diagram 5. Hospital days in Red Cross military hospitals in France 
during months of America's most active service, 
June, 1918, to December, 1918 

As an indication of the ability to meet emergencies, a complete 1,000 
bed hospital was made ready in forty-eight hours. 

Convalescent Homes for American Soldiers 

In addition to the twenty-four military hospitals mentioned above, 
the Red Cross operated twelve convalescent homes for American sol- 
diers who no longer required active hospital care but had not entirely 
recovered from their sickness or wounds. These homes had 2,374 beds, 
and 2,692 patients were admitted. Patients were in the homes a total 
of 56,739 days (patient days). 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 53 

Dispensaries and Infirmaries for American Soldiers 

To assist the United States Army in handling less serious cases of 
sickness and injuries the Red Cross operated in France eight infirmaries 
and thirteen dispensaries. Some of these establishments were con- 
nected with Red Cross hospitals or canteens, and three of them were 
limited to dental work. During the period covered by this report 
52,809 cases were treated in the infirmaries and 128,736 by the dis- 
pensaries. 

Hospital Supply Service for American Army 

Emergency depots of hospital supplies were always held by the 
Red Cross at the call of the Army. It was a supplementary service, 
but many times it met a vital need that otherwise would not have been 
met, admittedly lending to the saving of thousands of lives that other- 
wise would have been lost. 

Hundreds of different kinds of things were furnished on emergency 
call. In addition to millions of surgical dressings and other ordinary 
hospital supplies, such things as tents, barracks, portable laundries, 
shower and delousing plants, disinfecting machines, sterilizers, labora- 
tory outfits, and ice-making plants were also distributed. 

A further suggestion of the extent of this work may be conveyed by 
two illustrations : in a single day during the heaviest of the .summer of 
1918 fighting, 128 emergency requisitions were received, each covering 
from one to fifty items; again, on one day at the start of the St. Mihiel 
offensive, fifteen carloads of surgical dressings and front-line packages 
were shipped to the American front. 

What might be termed the mechanical aspect of this work reached 
an unusual standard of effectiveness, which may be illustrated by two 
instances : a request for 15,000 articles of various kinds, including medi- 
cal supplies, food, and comforts, required for immediate use on the 
American front, was received in Paris at 4 p. m., the goods assembled 
from three warehouses and delivered at the front at midnight; in an- 
other case, a marine officer arrived in Paris at i a. m. with a large, 
urgent order, was given a bed to rest in and then started on his way 
back to Chateau-Thierry at 3 a. m., with his supplies loaded in three 
camionettes. 

Red Cross Supply Service for French Hospitals 

The Red Cross operated a similar supply service for French hospi- 
tals, practically all of which were in desperate need of supplies. Up to 



54 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

February 28, 1919, this service had been extended to 3,780 institutions. 
Millions of articles of hundreds of different kinds and aggregating in 
weight more than 3,820,000 pounds have been distributed in this work. 
There was another line of Red Cross work directly affecting French 
hospitals, viz., a visiting service, conducted by Red Cross women, for 
the benefit of wounded American soldiers who had been brigaded with 
the French. 

Production and Supply of Splints 

At the request of the Army, the Red Cross undertook to supply the 
American Expeditionary Forces with all necessary splints. By means 
of orders placed with private firms and the operation of a factory in 
France a complete supply was made available for American soldiers 
at no cost to the Army. More than 294,000 splints were supplied. 

Production and Supply of Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen 

The Army also relied on the Red Cross for its full supply of nitrous 
oxide and oxygen. (Nitrous oxide is a new and improved anaesthetic, 
particularly valuable in cases where patients are too weak to take 
ether.) The Red Cross met this requirement by means of shipments 
from America and the organization of production in France. No charge 
was made 'for this service. 

The following table gives statistics concerning the production and 
distribution of these commodities: 

Table 2g 

RED CROSS PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY OF NITROUS OXIDE AND OXYGEN 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Distribution of nitrous oxide Gallons 

Army 3,176,256 

Red Cross hospitals ' . . 405,620 

Miscellaneous 251,110 



Total 3,832,986 

Distribution of oxygen 

Army 299,510 

Red Cross hospitals 155,320 

Miscellaneous 52,560 



Total 507,390 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 55 

Reconstruction and Re-education 

The Red Cross operated a service to assist the American and French 
Governments in their problems of re-educating crippled and disabled 
soldiers and sailors. Certain aid of a less extensive character was also 
given to disabled Serbians. Mention has already been made (see page 
42) of work along similar lines done by the Red Cross in America 
through its Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men, which should be 
referred to in this connection. 

The relief of French mutiles included the operation of a school farm, 
the manufacture of portrait masks and artificial limbs, the operation of 
an educational and publicity service, and assistance to French institu- 
tions offering commercial and industrial courses to mutiles. It is esti- 
mated that 65,000 of the 600,000 crippled French soldiers were reached 
by the Red Cross. Statistics concerning this work are given in the 
table below: 

Table 30 

RED CROSS AID TO FRENCH MUTILES 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, IQ19 

Instruction in farming 

Men instructed 123 

Teaching days . S.527 

Portrait masks made 94 

Artificial limb apparatus distributed 2,284 

Men attending lectures on reconstruction 39,200 

Leaflets distributed 46,000 

Men helped through donations to French institutions 56,426 

To assist American disabled soldiers, the Red Cross collected infor- 
mation for the United States Government and undertook an educa- 
tional campaign to spread information concerning reconstruction pos- 
sibilities. It is estimated that the majority of the 230,000 American 
troops who were injured in battle were reached by the Red Cross. 
Statistics concerning this work are given below: 

Table 31 

RED CROSS AID TO DISABLED AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN FRANCE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 

Talks in huts and wards 3.929 

Men reached by talks 136,400 

Personal conferences held 64,255 

Applications for training courses 27,210 

Bulletins distributed 559, 500 



56 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



CANTEENS 



General 



The best story of the Red Cross canteen service is one that would be 
given by the men who were benefited by it. However, the following 
simple record is bound to carry definite meaning : 

Table 32 

SUMMARY STATISTICS OF RED CROSS CANTEENS IN FRANCE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Canteens operated 130 

Men served iS.376,324 

Meals furnished 6,iS3.S9S 

Drinks furnished 12,701,850 

It should be borne in mind that all service except complete meals was 
rendered free, and only a nominal charge exacted for meals. 

Front-line Canteens 

The canteen work right up by the front lines is undoubtedly the most 
interesting part of the whole canteen service. In this work, men often 
worked under shell-fire for days, beset by difficulties, surrounded with 




Diagram 6. Thousands of drinks served in Red Cross canteens at the front, 
by months, September, 1917, to December, igi8 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 57 

dangers, distributing hot drinks, cigarettes, tobacco, chocolate, medi- 
cal supplies and other articles to American and French soldiers near 
the front lines. There were twenty-two of these canteens and six out- 
posts, through which 5,788,110 hot drinks were given away. The 
growth of this service is shown by Diagram 6 on the opposite page. 

Line of Communication Canteens 

On the railroad lines connecting the French cities with the front, the 
Red Cross operated seventy-five canteens for the benefit of American 
and Allied soldiers In transit. This service added to the comfort of 
the passing troops by furnishing meals, refreshments, baths, and shel- 
ter, and by administering to the sick and wounded. Summary 
statistics of this work, which by no means tell the complete story, are 
given below: 

Table 33 

RED CROSS LINE OF COMMUNICATION CANTEENS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igiQ 

Meals furnished in canteens 2,350,272 

Men served from station platform 2,444,116 

Men served in dormitories, infirmaries, and rest rooms 286,026 

Drinks furnished 5,484,102 

Doughnuts furnished 358.179 

Aviation Canteens 

In four American aviation camps the Red Cross operated canteens 
which performed a combination of canteen and camp service, distribut- 
ing food, clothing, games, and comforts. The following table gives 
statistics concerning a part of this work : 

Table 34 

RED CROSS AVIATION CANTEENS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, ipig 

Men served 98.178 

Drinks furnished 614,638 

Magazines furnished 11,460 

Garments furnished 5.961 

Garments mended 5.769 

Men served in barber shop 44.420 

Loans of books 38,451 



58 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Evacuation Hospital Canteens 

The Red Cross conducted sixteen canteens in evacuation hospitals 
of the United States Army. This service distributed refreshments, 
furnished special food for the sick and wounded and operated rest 
rooms and recreation houses. Every United States sanitary train was 
visited, and cigarettes, gum and cocoa given to each individual. Sta- 
tistics concerning this work are given below : 

Table 35 

RED CROSS CANTEENS IN EVACUATION HOSPITALS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 

Drinks of cocoa furnished 815,000 

Cigarettes distributed 2,845,000 

Papers and magazines distributed 49,180 

Letters written S.200 

Metropolitan Canteens 

In the metropolitan area of Paris, the Red Cross operated thirteen 
canteens to provide food and lodging for American and French troops. 
The service rendered by these canteens is shown below: 

Table 36 

RED CROSS METROPOLITAN CANTEENS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 

Meals furnished American soldiers 630,740 

Meals furnished French soldiers • • 3.1 70.933 

Meals furnished wounded soldiers 1.650 

Total meals furnished ^ 3.803,323 

Beds supplied American soldiers 41.285 

In addition to the metropolitan canteens mentioned above, the Red 
Cross financed either wholly or in part twelve other canteens in the 
Paris area controlled by the French. During the period covered by this 
report these canteens furnished 4,213,200 meals. 

RECREATIONAL AND WELFARE SERVICE FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS 

Representatives of the Red Cross were attached to every United 
States division and naval station in France. Their task was to do 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 59 

everything that could be done legitimately to aid the troops and to 
add to their comfort. Through them, troops in financial troubles 
were aided; if family troubles developed, steps were taken to assure 
that the Red Cross organization in the States reached out a helping 
hand to the family concerned; thousands of letters were written for 
boys unable to write; personal services of numerous kinds were ren- 
dered; newspapers and periodicals were distributed by the millions; 
all activities for entertaining the troops were fostered; comfort sup- 
plies were issued by the million — particularly the knitted sweaters, 
socks, etc., made by the chapter women in America. 

A list of the kinds of things distributed would fill a volume. The 
extent of the service may be suggested by mention of a few items se- 
lected at random: barracks, books, coal, communion services, Christ- 
mas gifts, flags, footballs, baseballs, playing cards, ice-cream freezers, 
moving-picture films, pianos, phonographs, needles, printing presses, 
shaving outfits, stoves, tea, cigarettes, tobacco and writing materials. 

Perhaps one example will serve to illustrate the important character 
of the work performed by the Red Cross representatives with the 
Army. Just before a certain division was expected to make an attack, 
a Red Cross captain was urgently asked for additional ambulances. 
By motoring through the night to Paris this man was able to appear 
at the front the next day with ten ambulances, which performed such 
efTectlve service under fire that all the drivers were cited for bravery. 

HOME AND HOSPITAL SERVICE FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS 

This work was essentially the same as the camp service work in 
hospitals in the United States. It confined its efforts very largely to 
the sick and wounded American soldiers and sailors in hospitals, pro- 
viding dainties, comforts, recreation for them and a communication 
service which kept relatives at home informed regarding the welfare 
and whereabouts of their boys. 

Hospital Farms and Gardens 

This phase of the work included, among other things, the operation 
of hospital farms and gardens which served the double purpose of 
furnishing healthful exercise to convalescent soldiers and providing 
the patients with fresh vegetables. Statistics showing the nature of 
this work follow: 



60 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Table 37 

RED CROSS HOSPITAL FARMS AND GARDENS IN FRANCE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igiQ 

Farms and gardens operated 23 

Acreage 374 

Convalescents employed (daily average) 113 

Hours of convalescent labor 77. 130 

Hospital Recreational Huts 

These were club-rooms for the convalescents, where entertainment 
and light refreshments were provided, and where the recovering soldier 
could rest quietly in pleasant surroundings with books, periodicals, 
home papers and writing materials at hand. Perhaps the most appre- 
ciated element was the opportunity to enjoy the companionship of the 
American Red Cross girls by whom the huts were operated. There 
were ninety-nine of these huts. 

Another service rendered in the huts, or in adjoining hospital build- 
ings, that deserves special mention is the moving-picture operations. 
An idea of the extent of this service is given below : 

Table 38 

RED CROSS MOVING PICTURES FOR HOSPITALS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 1919 

Moving picture machines installed ' 90 

Film plays in use 617 

Feet of films in use 1,418,000 

Feet of films passed in shows 54.895.700 

Shows given 6,697 

Attendance at shows 3.109,590 

Hours of entertainment 10,005 

Home Communication Service 

This work which involved the keeping of relatives at home informed 
as to the welfare and whereabouts of soldiers was conducted all over 
France but particularly with the men in hospitals. Through trained 
searchers, news of the sick and wounded was gathered, details of 
deaths were ascertained and men reported as missing were traced. 
The value of this service to the affected relatives may be imagined. 
The part that the Red Cross played in locating men first reported as 
missing was a very large one. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 6l 

The extent of service rendered along the lines mentioned above is 
indicated by the following table: 

Table sg 

RED CROSS HOME COMMUNICATION SERVICE IN FRANCE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 

Reports on well, wounded, and dead 105,456 

Reports on prisoners, missing, and details of deaths 28,407 

Letters written 219,939 

Grave Photography 

A service directly related to that described above is the work of 
photographing the graves of all American boys who died in France. 
This entire work was done by the Red Cross. The family of every boy 
whose grave is distinguishable has received, or will receive, a picture 
of his grave. This work, now nearly completed, has involved the tak- 
ing of some 170,000 photographs under all kinds of difficulties. 

CIVILIAN RELIEF 

Relief of Refugees 

Caring for the millions of refugees who had evacuated before the 
German advances presented an enormous task to the French Govern- 
ment, and one that the Government asked the Red Cross to take a 
large part in. 

From the start the fundamental principle in the Red Cross work 
with refugees was to work through and with all available French 
agencies rather than to attempt to establish an independent service. 

Working with such agencies, the task was to provide food, clothing, 
shelter, medical attendance and employment. Particular mention 
should be made of the splendid work done by the English and American 
Friends, with whom the Red Cross has cooperated. 

Almost every conceivable difficulty had to be overcome, but the Red 
Cross work directly assisted 1,726,354 refugees. 

A few statistics concerning this work follow: 



62 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS • 

Table 40 

'RELIEF OF FRENCH REFUGEES 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, IQ19 

Total refugees aided 1,726,354 

Dwellings provided 996 

Hospitals and dispensaries operated 67 

Refugees aided in hospitals and dispensaries 190,575 

Dispensaries operated jointly by the Red Cross and the French 5 

Refugees aided in joint dispensaries 37.581 

Refugee canteens operated 8 

Refugees fed at canteens 66,419 

Workrooms operated 68 

This list makes no mention of the thousands of tons of supplies that 
were distributed, nor of many of the arrangements that were made to 
provide employment. 

With the signing of the armistice, this work took on a different form 
— that of helping the people as they returned to the devastated area. 
It has involved a much larger task than the work before the armistice, 
for it brings to hundreds of thousands of families in great need essential 
assistance in re-establishing their homes and is of a permanent rather 
than transient value. 

Communities have been encouraged to organize committees to deal 
with their problems ; the Red Cross is now working with 200 such com- 
mittees, covering in their work i ,200 towns and villages. Through the 
committees, the Red Cross is distributing tens of thousands of tons of 
needed supplies of a value of many millions of dollars. 

Relief of French Soldiers' Families 

After three years of war, the families of thousands of the French 
soldiers were in desperate need. Such a condition naturally reacted on 
the morale of the troops. The French Government welcomed the aid 
of the Red Cross in coping with the situation. As a result, the Red 
Cross operated what was in effect "home service" for the families of 
French soldiers. 

-^ The main work took the form of a wide distribution of cash to assist 
in meeting the necessities of life. At first the distribution was made 
through the officials of the territorial departments of the French 
Government. Later, the gifts were made to families recommended 
through the commanding officers of all parts of the French Army. 

Families to the number of 87,652 were aided in this way up to Feb- 
ruary 28, 1919. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 63 

Children's Relief Work 

The welfare of children could not be given much care by a country 
harassed as France was by war, and, after three years of it, there was 
great need for work among children. It was in this way that one of 
the most important branches of the Red Cross work in France de- 
veloped. The work had so many human elements in it that it is with 
hesitancy that any mention is made of it in a statistical way. 

The main task was to cope with under-feeding, under-nourishment 
and lack of medical care. As far as possible, the work was done by 
encouraging and supporting French agencies, but in many places 
operations were carried on directly by the Red Cross — a necessity 
particularly in the case of hospitals, dispensaries and clinics. 

An idea of the extent of the work is given by the following table: 

Table 41 

children's relief work in FRANCE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 

Hospitals and convalescent homes operated 25 

Patients treated in hospitals and convalescent homes 16,346 

Dispensaries and clinics operated 99 

Patients treated in dispensaries and clinics 189,111 

School children served in canteens 32,000 

Children taught to play 27,000 

Child-welfare expositions held 7 

Attendance at expositions 625,000 

Children's institutions or societies aided Si9 

Mention should also be made in this connection of the Red Cross 
work involved in selecting more than two thousand French war 
orphans for "adoption" by individuals or military units in the American 
Expeditionary Forces by contributions made through "Stars and 
Stripes" — the official newspaper of the A. E. F. 

While the immediate value of the children's work in France is self- 
suggestive, no doubt a great permanent gain will be made through the 
stimulation this work gave to all welfare work with children. 

Anti-Tuberculosis Work 

Work in combatting tuberculosis also naturally suffered because all 
French efforts were centered on the war, and there was a large increase 
in the disease directly from the war's effects. In this field, too, the 
Red Cross was able to undertake large and important work, in co- 
operation with the Commission for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, 



64 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

financed by the Rockefeller Foundation. Substantial cooperative aid 
was given in this work by the Society des Tuherculeux de la Guerre. 
Again, the main efforts of the Red Cross were directed towards 
assisting in every way possible existing French agencies engaged in 
such work. In only a few instances were institutions operated directly 
by the Red Cross. A brief statistical summary of the work follows : 

Table 42 

ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS WORK IN FRANCE 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 191Q 

Tuberculosis institutions aided 847 

New beds added to tuberculosis institutions 2,678 

Red Cross tuberculosis hospitals operated 5 

Beds in Red Cross hospitals 675 

Patient days in Red Cross hospitals 172,942 

Patients cared for other than in Red Cross hospitals 4.423 

The Red Cross part in anti-tuberculosis work in France extended 
beyond the work for French nationals just described. To mention 
only two instances, it assisted in the development of a hospital for use 
by tubercular American troops prior to their return to the States, and 
directly aided agencies for tubercular Serbians in France. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES 

The preceding pages have covered only the major tasks undertaken 
by the Red Cross in France. Space does not admit of mentioning each 
of the many other activities, which included important research work 
along medical lines, emergency relief to stranded Americans and to the 
nationals of Allied nations, support given to the French Red Cross 
(including a contribution of approximately $1,750,000) and assisting 
U. S. Army nurses by equipment issues, supplementary allowances, etc. 

Nor is this the place to deal with the Red Cross organization in 
France as an organization, or with the personnel that made up the 
organization. Perhaps the record presented in the preceding pages 
gives, by itself, an idea of the forces that carried on the work described. 



V 
WORK ELSEWHERE OVERSEAS 

GENERAL 

Outside of the work in France, the Red Cross did relief work in 
twenty-four foreign countries during the period covered by this re- 
port. That this work, which is brought together under the caption 
"Work Elsewhere Overseas," was not insignificant is indicated by the 
fact that cash appropriated for it aggregated over $63,000,000, while 
the value of chapter relief supplies usedin it was approximately 
$12,000,000, producing a total of $75,000,000 for the twenty months 
ending February 28, 191 9. 

While different kinds of work were carried on in each country, in 
accordance with the particular needs of the country concerned, there 
were practically no kinds of work that were not also undertaken in 
France. It might almost be said that the work in each country was 
simply a duplication, in a smaller way, of the work done in France, 
though, of course, there was no need in certain places of particular 
activities that were greatly needed in France. In each place, the 
endeavor was to do the things that were most needed and thereby to 
strengthen the Allied nation where it was weakest — always, of course, 
confining activities to the field that the Red Cross could properly 
undertake. 

Because of these circumstances, and because of a desire to make this 
report as brief as it can be made consistent with comprehensiveness, 
details of the work done in each country outside of France will not 
be presented — dependence being placed on the descriptions of each 
kind of work that have been given in the preceding chapter, which 
is devoted to the work in France. 

The present chapter will be confined to brief mention of the main 
lines of work carried on in each country in which Red Cross operated 
extensively. 

The table that follows shows the cash appropriations for the coun- 
tries where the important operations were conducted: 



66 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Table 43 

APPROPRIATIONS FOR CASH EXPENDITURE ELSEWHERE OVERSEAS 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, igiQ 

Belgium $3,875,161.12 

Italy 11,972,819.11 

British Isles 11,267,304.53 

Switzerland Si972, 777.38 

Palestine and Near East 8,320,211.32 

Balkans 4,569,868.96 

Russia (excluding Siberia) 2,240,167.02 

Siberia 8,225,769.67 

Other activities overseas 7.396,575.93 

Total $63,840,655.04 

BELGIUM 

While the somewhat general similarity in conditions made the 
needs in Belgium parallel those in France, an important difference 
was due to the fact that such a large proportion of the country was 
occupied by the Germans, with the result that refugees were scattered 
through France, Holland, England and Switzerland. This condition 
naturally imposed great diflficulties on the Belgian Government, and 
on the Red Cross in its endeavors to help the people in want. 

As in the case of the work in France, the main policy of the Red 
Cross was to aid the people by supporting and helping national 
agencies. In this undertaking, relief was given through the Belgian 
Red Cross and some 300 other Belgian relief organizations, some of 
the major activities being described in the paragraphs that follow. 

Soldiers' Relief Service 

More than sixty relief organizations were aided by the Red Cross 
in carrying on activities directly connected with the welfare of Belgian 
soldiers. Among these activities were hospitals, canteens and rest 
houses, bath and lodging houses, libraries and reading rooms, schools 
and farms for re-education of mutil^s, manufacturing and distribution 
of artificial limbs, cinemas and concerts, athletic contests, gifts of 
musical instruments and music, supplementary allowances for nurses, 
care of Belgian soldiers' families, gifts to decorated and specially 
meritorious soldiers and research and employment service for disabled 
and discharged soldiers. 

Eighty-two canteens served approximately 25,000 soldiers daily. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 67 

Twenty-eight hospitals were aided by gifts of cash and supplies of 
numerous kinds. 

Cinemas at the front entertained an average of 8,000 men daily. 

Libraries were equipped with nearly 300,000 volumes; one reading 
room alone served 450,000 men in one year. 

An educational course was given to 7,500 Belgian soldiers during 
one year. 

Relief of Children 

The Red Cross made grants to nearly seventy organizations carrying 
on relief work for children. Children's colonies were established in 
France, Switzerland and Holland. Baby-saving work was conducted 
in Belgium and in refugee centers. Everything possible was done to 
preserve the health and welfare of these children. 

The Red Cross aided directly in evacuating some 20,000 children, 
placing 8,000 in France, 2,000 in Switzerland and 10,000 in Holland 
— in school colonies, etc. 

Fifteen milk distributing depots were maintained in unoccupied 
Belgium. 

Four hundred baby clothing outfits were distributed monthly to 
Belgian children in France. 

A dispensary was established and operated by the American Red 
Cross at Le Havre, France, in April, 191 8, and in September a hospital 
of 20 beds was added. Social service and public health nursing were 
also carried on. To February 28, 1919, a total of 14,610 dispensary 
patients were treated, 2,523 house visits were made by doctors and 
nurses and 195 hospital patients treated. 

Relief of Civilians 

When one considers that approximately 90,000 Belgian civilians 
remained in unoccupied Belgium within range of German guns, and 
that 600,000 found refuge in other countries, some idea can be obtained 
of the hardships these people went through during more than four 
years of war. 

Grants were made to nearly 150 relief agencies, and with these 
agencies the Red Cross cooperated in: 

Establishing and maintaining hospitals, refugee colonies, health 

centers, etc.; 
Providing housing accommodations, clothes, household furniture, 

livestock, etc.; 



68 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Transporting refugees to places of safety; 

Maintaining a service by which members of families were brought 
in touch with one another. 

In short, the Belgian refugees were followed wherever they went 
and provided with suitable food, clothing and comforts. 

ITALY 

A permanent Red Cross Commission for Italy was appointed in the 
fall of 19 1 7 and arrived in Rome during the latter part of December. 
In January, 1918, it took over the work of a temporary Commission, 
composed of members of the Red Cross Commission for France who 
had been sent to Italy at the time of the great emergency resulting 
from the Caporetto disaster of November, 191 7. 

Red Cross work in Italy thus commenced in November, 1917, during 
the great offensive, when the need for moral and material assistance 
from America was urgent. The help given at this time was confined 
mainly to hospital and ambulance service for the hard-pressed soldiers 
at the front, and relief of refugees from the Venetian plains. 

During the following months the work of the Red Cross extended 
to 141 towns, as shown on the map on page 70, as well as to thousands 
of smaller villages from the Alps to the Island of Sicily. 

Service for American Soldiers and Sailors 

Red Cross work for American soldiers and sailors in Italy included 
hospital service, canteen service, and home and communication 
services. 

Large quantities of medical and surgical supplies and considerable 
equipment, including drugs, medicines, surgical instruments, sterilizers, 
incinerators and X-ray machines, were furnished the American mili- 
tary and naval forces. Four hospitals were operated — one for the 
Army, one for the Navy and two for American war workers. 

Canteens were established wherever American soldiers were sta- 
tioned, and rolling canteens followed them to the front when they took 
part in the victorious Italian offensive of October, 191 8. 

Other Red Cross work for American soldiers in Italy included the 
distribution of comforts and the operation of a home and communi- 
cation service which up to February 28, 19 19, had handled over 22,000 
cases. Perhaps the most important of these cases were 14,600 in- 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 69 

Stances in which correct addresses were secured for allotments to 
American soldiers' families residing in Italy. 

Medical and Hospital Service for the Italian Army 

As a result of the 191 7 offensive, the Italian Army lost one hundred 
hospitals and two main field magazines of medical supplies. The dis- 
organizing effects of these reverses were increased by the fact that 
thousands of wounded soldiers were coming in from the front. 

Although at this time the Red Cross had barely commenced opera- 
tions in Italy, the seriousness of the situation was at once appreciated, 
and large quantities of gauze, cotton, drugs and other medical supplies 
and equipment were given the Italian authorities. Within sixty days 
951,000 articles were distributed, including ten complete field hospitals. 

During the following months the Red Cross continued to furnish 
both the Italian Army Medical Department and individual military 
hospitals with general medical supplies and specialized equipment such 
as disinfecting machines and articles for research laboratories. A 
service was operated for manufacturing, sterilizing and distributing 
surgical dressings to supplement the regular supply of the Italian Army. 

Ambulance Service for the Italian Army 

On December 9, 1917, two days after the United States had officially 
declared war on Austria, there appeared on the streets of Milan one 
hundred Red Cross ambulance drivers, each driving his own car, bound 
for the Italian front. These and other ambulances furnished by the 
Red Cross handled from January i, 1918 to February 28, 1919, 148,224 
cases, making 14,194 trips and covering 652,995 miles. That the work 
of this service was appreciated by the Italian Government Is shown by 
the fact that all the field personnel received War Crosses. 

Canteen Service for the Italian Army 

Thirty-three canteens were operated by the Red Cross in Italy for 
the benefit of Italian and Allied troops. Seventeen of these were 
scattered along the Italian front, both In the mountains and on the 
plains, and the remaining sixteen were located at important railroad 
stations along the line of communication. From these canteens drinks, 
chocolate, cigarettes and other refreshments were distributed, and beds 
and baths were often provided. The extensive nature of this work 
is Indicated by the fact that an average of 1,400,000 men were 
served each month in the thirty-three canteens. 



70 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 




M E D^^ 



SEA 



Map II. 141 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service 
in Italy, November, 1917, to February, 191 9 

With the signing of the armistice, the service of the front-Hne can- 
teens was extended to thousands of ItaHan prisoners returning from 
Austria and Germany. Because of the lack of system in hberating 
these men, many of them were in a half -starved condition when they 
reached the Italian frontier. To February 28, 1919, the Red Cross had 
served 1,132,300 rations to returning Italian prisoners. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT Jl 

Relief of Refugees 

In its work among refugees the Red Cross cooperated with the 
Italian Government in making the Hves of these unfortunate people as 
near as possible like their lives in their former homes. 

Thousands of civilians were driven from the north to the south of 
Italy by the great offensive of 191 7. Canteens and rest houses were 
operated by the Red Cross to help them, and clothing and other 
supplies were distributed among the more needy. During the follow- 
ing months the Red Cross assisted in caring for the refugees in the 
towns and villages throughout Italy. This work included the main- 
tenance of refugee colonies, hospitals, dispensaries and food kitchens, 
and the operation of workrooms for the manufacture of many kinds 
of articles, such as clothing, embroidery, mattresses and furniture. A 
few statistics concerning this work are given in the following table: 

Table 44 

RED CROSS WORK AMONG REFUGEES IN ITALY 

November, 1917 — February, 1919 

Refugee colonies operated 5 

Persons cared for in colonies 2,774 

Hospitals operated 3 

Dispensaries operated 3 

Workrooms operated , 88 

Persons employed in workrooms 9.057 

Garments produced in workrooms 1,411,105 

Food kitchens operated 50 

Rations served daily in food kitchens (average) 28,664 

Persons furnished uncooked food 424,600 

The above statistics do not show the large quantities of supplies 
distributed among refugees. A few of these supplies are mentioned 
below : 

Table 45 

A FEW OF THE SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTED BY THE RED CROSS 
AMONG REFUGEES IN ITALY 

November, 1917 — February, 1919 

Garments 891,661 

Shoes (pairs) 148,434 

Cloth (yards) 1,006,448 

Bedding and household articles 671,605 

Knitting yam (pounds) 47,661 



^^2 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

Care of Children 

The Red Cross cooperated with the Itahan Government in feeding, 
clothing and caring for the thousands of war orphans and other un- 
happy children in Italy. This work included the operation of summer 
colonies, orphanages, day nurseries, industrial schools, playgrounds 
and health centers, and the distribution of food and clothes. During 
the period covered by this report, the Red Cross was able to help 
154,704 Italian children, 50,554 of whom were cared for in institutions. 

Other Activities 

The other activities of the Red Cross in Italy are too numerous to 
mention individually in this report. They included such important 
work as the distribution of cash to 326,035 needy families of Italian 
soldiers and the operation during the Spanish influenza epidemic of 
forty-eight relief stations from which special foods were distributed and 
medical aid was given. 

Mention should also be made of certain work in connection with 
the victorious Italian offensive of the fall of 191 8, during which Red 
Cross ambulance and camion services followed the Italian troops to 
assist in legitimate ways both the Army and the civilian population in 
the regained territory. 

BRITISH ISLES 

American Red Cross activities in the British Isles consisted chiefly 
of caring for American soldiers and sailors passing to and from the 
front, providing for those shipwrecked nearby, and caring for the 
American wounded. 

The map on page 74 indicates the extent of the Red Cross work in 
the British Isles. 

Hospital Service 

A foremost place in any outline of Red Cross work must always be 
given to the hospitals. The importance of this activity in the British 
Isles was emphasized during the time American troops were brigaded 
with British. The American wounded from these units were necessarily 
taken to the British Isles. 

There were thirteen American Red Cross hospitals in the British Isles 
for American military and naval forces, which cared for 6,000 patients. 
Several of these hospitals were organized or constructed by the Red 
Cross, and then turned over to the American Army Medical Corps; 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 73 

others were operated under an arrangement by which the American 
Red Cross furnished the management and the equipment and the 
American Army suppHed the technical personnel. One of these hos- 
pitals was for American nurses, and two were operated for the Navy, 

In addition to the American Red Cross hospitals in the British Isles 
for American soldiers, there were several American Army and Navy 
hospitals. American Army patients were also cared for in 200 British 
institutions. Wherever there were American Army or Navy patients in 
the British Isles, the Red Cross assisted in every way possible through 
its hospital visiting service, its casualty information service and its 
distribution of hospital and medical supplies, equipment and comforts. 

In addition, the Red Cross operated small hospitals or infirmaries 
for American soldiers in fifty camps throughout the British Isles. 

Camp and Canteen Service 

The importance of the camp and canteen service for American 
soldiers and sailors carried on by the Red Cross in the British Isles is 
suggested by the fact that nearly one million American soldiers passed 
through Great Britain during the period covered by this report and 
that a large portion of them was scattered through 100 camps for 
rest and training. The camp service included the distribution of many 
kinds of supplies and comforts, erection of shower baths and per- 
formance of emergency service of every description. 

The Red Cross, in the beginning of its work, depended largely on the 
British canteens, to which liberal donations were made. Later, the 
Red Cross equipped and operated its own canteens in metropolitan 
districts, along lines of communication and at ports. Perhaps the 
four most important were located at Liverpool, London, Glasgow and 
Southampton. 

Following is a list of some of the principal items distributed free 
to American soldiers and sailors through the Red Cross camp and 
canteen service: 

Table 46 

SOME OF THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES DISTRIBUTED FREE TO AMERICAN 
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS IN THE BRITISH ISLES 

Twenty Months Ending February 28, 191Q 

Bags (comfort) .... 54,720 Brushes (hair) .... 6,907 

Bedspreads 9,325 Brushes (shaving) . . . 22,931 

Biscuits 34,631 (lbs.) Brushes (tooth) .... 59,514 

Blankets 39.944 Buns 70,871 



74 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



ATLANTIC 
OCEAN 



NORTH SEA 




7S.TLANTIC 
OCEAN 



^^''o^,^ 



Map 12. 32Q stations from which the Red Cross rendered service 
in the British Isles, October, IQ17, to February, IQIQ 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



75 



Cake 121,995 (lbs.) 

Candy 16,266 (lbs.) 

Cheese 7.70? (lbs.) 

Chocolate bars . . . .1,001,100 

Chocolate 169,033 (lbs.) 

Cigarettes 8,432,557 

Coffee 20,370 (lbs.) 

Combs 10,230 

Eggs 85,448 

Flags 18,458 

Fruits 37,001 (cans) 

Fruits (dried) 31.645 (lbs.) 

Games 20,719 

Gloves 36,514 (prs.) 

Gum (chewing) . . . .5,183,187 (pieces) 

Handkerchiefs .... 125,679 

Honey 3,868 (lbs.) 

Jam 16,824 (lbs.) 

Knitted articles: 

Helmets 25,394 

Mufflers 23,644 

Sweaters 90,191 

Wristlets 24,344 

Matches 127,593 (boxes) 

Meat 41,885 (lbs.) 

Milk 44.598 (cans) 

Milk 49,230 (qts.) 

Musical instruments: 

Phonographs .... 302 



Phonograph records . 6,896 

Pianos 8 

Other musical instru- 
ments 463 

Napkins (paper) . . . 1,136,075 

Oranges 766,556 

Pajamas 311,820 

Potatoes 44,866 

Razors (safety) .... 36,967 

Razor blades 133.959 

Sheets 51.084 

Shirts 37.838 

Slippers 8,974 

Soap 139.377 

Soap (shaving) .... 71,687 

Socks 104,485 

Soup 14.195 

Sugar 99.318 

Surgical dressings . . . 816,164 

Talcum powder .... 27,215 

Tea 1. 90s 

Testaments 294 

Tobacco (smoking) . . 133,820 

Tooth paste 79,819 

Towels 79.819 

Writing paper: 

Envelopes 1,007,222 

Pads 85,506 

Sheets 107,756 



(suits) 
(lbs.) 



(prs.) 

(cakes) 

(sticks) 

(prs.) 

(cans) 

(lbs.) 

(cans) 
(lbs.) 

(pkgs.) 
(tubes) 



Care of the Shipwrecked 

The Red Cross helped in every way possible those American soldiers 
who were survivors of the transports "Tuscania" and "Moldavia," 
which were sunk in the neighborhood of the British Isles. Money, 
clothing, comforts and other supplies were given to these survivors; 
and those placed in hospitals were given every assistance by Red 
Cross representatives. 

Anticipating future occurrences similar to the sinking of the "Tus- 
cania" in February, 191 8, the Red Cross made provision for caring 
more completely for the survivors. Stores of clothing, first-aid outfits 
and other necessary supplies were located at various Irish stations for 
completely outfitting 6,000 Americans on short notice. Arrangements 
were made for billeting and feeding any number that might be landed 
at out-of-the-way places, while a fleet of motor cars was made availa- 
ble for emergencies. 



76 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



Other Activities 

Space is not available in this report to tell of all the activities of the 
Red Cross in the British Isles; home service, communication service, 
nursing service and kindred activities are covered at length in the 
chapter on France. 

Mention should be made, however, of the work of the London Chap- 
ter of the American Red Cross. This Chapter carried on all of the 
Red Cross activities in Great Britain prior to the appointment of a 
commission, and since then has worked in close cooperation with it, 
operating a hospital supply service; work shops for making surgical 
dressings, hospital garments, etc., employing over 2,000 women; an 
officers' hospital and a well-equipped club for nurses. It has active 
committees dealing with comforts for soldiers, distribution of books, 
entertainment of officers and nurses in London and kindred activities. 

Mention should also be made of more than $5,000,000 contributed 
by the Red Cross to other relief organizations in the British Isles; 
among other items, $4,500,000 was given to the British Red Cross, 
and $250,000 to the Scottish Women's Hospital. 

SWITZERLAND 

The two most urgent reasons for Red Cross work in Switzerland were, 
first, the necessity of working from that country in aiding American 




Map 13. 2S stations from which the Red Cross rendered service 
in Switzerland, May, 1918, to February, 1919 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 



n 



soldiers in German prison camps, and, second, the need for extending 
to the Swiss Government and people aid in caring for the thousands 
of refugees from many lands who were located in Switzerland. 

Map 13 on the opposite page shows the places from which the Red 
Cross operated in Switzerland. 

Prisoners' Relief Service 

This service rendered aid to all American prisoners of war, and to 
many Allied prisoners, by supplying food and clothing, forwarding 
mail and money and communicating with the families and friends of 
the prisoners. 




Diagram 7. American prisoners in German and Austrian prison camps 
aided by the Red Cross, August is, 1918, to December 15, 1918 



78 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



On August 15, 191 8, the Red Cross was aiding 577 American pri- 
soners in 39 prison camps. On November 30, 1918, this number had 
increased to 3,604 (including 12 sailors and 146 civilians) in 72 prison 
camps. Diagram 7, on page 77, shows the number aided by months. 

Supplies were shipped weekly or fortnightly by the Red Cross in 
twenty-pound packages, to all American prisoners of record, wherever 
located. At the start of this service the Red Cross furnished all such 
supplies free. Later, the U. S. Army and Navy furnished certain 
essential supplies to the Red Cross, which added supplementary items 
such as special food for invalid prisoners, chocolate, candy, pipes, 
tobacco, shaving outfits, etc. Complete clothing outfits were supplied 
on request. 

To determine whether supplies reached their destination, the prison- 
ers were asked to sign and return a card enclosed in each package. 
Acknowledgments were received for ninety per cent, of the shipments. 

In the following table are listed the quantities and kinds of articles 
furnished American prisoners, including those supplied by the U. S. 
Army and Navy : 



Table 47 



SUPPLIES FURNISHED AMERICAN PRISONERS 

(Including items supplied by U. S. Army and Navy) 
Twenty Months Ending February 28, igig 



FOOD 



Beans i.7S2 (cans) 

Beans and pork 56,400 (cans) 

Biscuits 76,750 (lbs.) 

Candy 27,900 (lbs.) 

Cheese 450 (lbs.) 

Chocolate 112 (lbs.) 

Cinnamon 90 (lbs.) 

Cocoa 10,517 (lbs.) 

Coffee S7,6i2 (lbs.) 

Crackers 6,750 (lbs.) 

Fatbacks 19,000 (lbs.) 

Fish 6,300 (lbs.) 

Flour 19.992 (lbs.) 

Fruit (dried) 85,999 (lbs.) 

Gum (chewing) 500 (lbs.) 

Jam 87,334 (lbs.) 



Meats (tinned) 159.354 (lbs.) 

Milk (evaporated) .... 15.528 (lbs.) 

Oatmeal 12,600 (lbs.) 

Oleo 57.510 (lbs.) 

Gil (olive) 90 (lbs.) 

Pepper 240 (lbs.) 

Rice 56,000 (lbs.) 

Salt 44.915 (lbs.) 

Soup 10,400 (cans) 

Soup (powdered) .... 7,800 (pkgs.) 

Spaghetti 10,600 (cans) 

Sugar 106,520 (lbs.) 

Tea 512 (lbs.) 

Vegetables 13,200 (cans) 

Vinegar . 125 (gals.) 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 79 

CLOTHING AND OTHER ARTICLES 

Brushes (clothes) ... i.ioo Razors (safety) i.ioo 

Brushes (hair) .... i.ioo Shirts (flannel) 800 

Brushes (shaving) . . . 1,100 Shoes 400 (prs.) 

Brushes (tooth) .... 3.100 Shoe laces S.SOO 

Buttons (coat) .... 800 (cards) Shoe polish outfits .... 600 

Caps 400 Slippers (felt) 2,000 (prs.) 

Cigarettes 4,188.000 Soap 23,300 (bars) 

Cigars S.ooo Soap (shaving) 2,200 (sticks) 

Combs 1, 100 Socks 1,200 (prs.) 

Handkerchiefs .... 1,200 Suits 400 

Housewives 1,100 Tobacco (smoking) . . 105,837 (lbs.) 

Knives (pocket) .... 1,100 Toilet Cases 600 

Overcoats 400 Towels 800 

Pencils 16,000 Tooth paste 3.300 (tubes) 

Pipes 2,000 Underwear 1,600 (pes.) 

Mention should also be made of relief supplies aggregating nearly 
$3,800,000 in value purchased by the Red Cross, from funds furnished 
by the Serbian Government, and forwarded to Switzerland for distri- 
bution to Serbian prisoners of war. 

Among the other services performed for prisoners, the Red Cross 
acted as agent in transmitting over $32,000 to imprisoned soldiers of 
seventeen different nationalities, nearly one-half of which went to 
Americans. Also, over 50,000 letters were written to relatives and 
friends concerning the health and whereabouts of American prisoners. 

After the armistice was signed, the Red Cross distributed food and 
clothing to 2,600 American and 8,400 Italian prisoners repatriated 
through Switzerland. 

Relief of Civilians 

Relief was extended by the Red Cross to destitute children and aged 
persons repatriated by the Germans through Switzerland, interned 
Allied soldiers, interned civilians of the United States and Allies, and 
to Swiss families whose sons or fathers were in the service of the 
United States or Allied Governments. 

This relief in large part consisted of establishing and maintaining 
hospitals, canteens, workrooms, etc. ; donations to other relief organi- 
zations; and furnishing food and clothing to the needy. Mention 
should be made of the workrooms established for interned soldiers, 
where many necessary articles were made. 

BALKAN STATES 
Although the American Red Cross had representatives in the Bal- 
kans as early as the winter of 1914-1915, relief activities did not 



8d WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

assume large proportions until the summer of 191 7, when commissions 
were sent to Serbia and Roumania. 

In the fall of 19 18 a commission was sent to Greece, and early in 
1 91 9, with the opening up of large territories "occupied by the Central 
Powers during the war, units were sent to North Serbia, Roumania, 
Montenegro and Albania to combat conditions beyond description. 
However, the work of these units was hardly well under way by 
February 28, 191 9, hence a record of things accomplished must be 
omitted from this report. The appropriations for the Balkan States 
recorded on page 66 include $2,550,489.99 for expenditure by these 
units. 

However, a fair idea of the work done by the Red Cross in each of 
the countries comprising the Balkan States will be conveyed by the 
following outlines of the work done in Roumania and Serbia by the 
units that went to those countries during the summer of 191 7. 

Roumania 

In August, 1 91 7, the Red Cross sent a Commission to Roumania 
which arrived in Jassy, the temporary capital, in September, and found 
great suffering on all sides. All that remained of the once properous 
kingdom was the mountainous province of Moldavia, about the size 
of the State of Connecticut, where the population had doubled from 
the influx of soldiers and refugees. Pneumonia, cholera and typhus 
were rampant, the medical and hospital facilities were entirely inade- 
quate, and there was a distressing lack of food, clothing and other 
supplies. 

Soon after its arrival, the Commission took over a 500 bed military 
hospital at Roman, and later assumed charge of a civil hospital in 
Jassy. Dispensaries for needy civilians were operated in both places. 
In Roman alone, more than 20,000 operations were performed or 
treatments given. 

The chief difficulty in the way of extending general relief was to 
secure necessary supplies. Russia was the only gateway to the out- 
side world, and Russia was suffering from economic disorganization. 
However, despite great difficulties, carloads of foodstuffs, clothing, 
drugs and surgical supplies were brought from Archangel, Petrograd 
and Moscow, and made available to the Roumanian population. In 
the three districts of Putna, Tekuchin, and Bocan, over 40,000 persons 
were fed every day by the Red Cross. A canteen was opened in 
Jassy, where for two months meals were given 2,000 people. The 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 




Map 14. 13 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service 
in Roumania, December, 1917, to March, 1918 



various places in which Red Cross service was rendered are shown 
on the map above. 

In March, 1918, after Roumania had made a separate peace with 
Germany, it became necessary for the Red Cross to withdraw. The 
undistributed Red Cross reUef supplies were turned over to the Rou- 
manian Government and various organizations. Among these articles 
were foodstuffs sufficient to feed 2,000 people for three months, and 
large quantities of bandages, medicines and garments. 

Serbia 

The only part of Serbia that was unoccupied when the Red Cross 
Commission arrived there in August, 191 7, was a narrow strip of 
land lying along the Greek border south of Monastir, once fertile, but 
at that time stripped of everything by the invaders. 



82 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

In this narrow area were found 50,000 Serbians wholly dependent on 
charity. All through Greece homeless and destitute refugees were 
scattered. 

A supply of seed and agricultural implements was sent from America 
for use in cultivating 21,000 acres near Monastir. A party of agri- 
cultural experts was sent to take charge of this work. 

To aid the refugees in northern Greece, the Red Cross furnished large 
quantities of food, clothing and medical supplies, established hospitals 
and built houses. 

For the Serbian Army, the Red Cross, among other things, equipped 
and sent from America complete dental units, furnished supplies and 
equipment to Serbian Army hospitals, established canteens for con- 
valescent soldiers and sent clothing to Serbian prisoners in Bulgaria. 

Mention should also be made of a contribution of $50,000 to the 
Serbian Red Cross, and of the aid extended to the Serbian Government 
in caring for prisoners of war (see page 79). 

RUSSIA 

In August, 191 7, the Red Cross sent a commission of specialists 
to Russia for the purpose of assisting this country in the same way 
it was helping other Allied nations. However, because of the disor- 
ganized state of the country, it was impossible to carry out the full 
original plan. 

The commission, on its arrival in Russia, was accorded the hearty 
support of the Provisional Government then in power and the co- 
operation of the Russian Red Cross, the Sanitary Department of the 
Russian Army, and the Union of Zemstvos. The increasingly chaotic 
conditions in Russia, however, made the work more and more difficult, 
until in March, 191 8, with the German advance on Petrograd, the 
commission was forced to abandon its program and move to Moscow, 
where it stayed doing what it could until October, 1918, when it was 
ordered out. Despite these difficulties, many important things were 
accomplished, some of which are mentioned in the paragraphs that 
follow. 

A complete ambulance unit of 125 cars was sent from America for 
service with the Russian Army. 

During the winter and spring of 191 8 the Red Cross distributed 
450,060 cans of condensed milk, helping 25,000 babies, a large number 
of whom would otherwise undoubtedly have perished. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 83 

During the summer of 191 8, a large number of American and Allied 
citizens were assisted through distributions of food, clothing and 
medical supplies. 

The wretched condition of 25,000 people employed on the Mur- 
mansk railroad was improved by large shipments of foodstuffs. 

In July, 1918, the Red Cross sent an expedition to Archangel to 
assist the American troops operating in this northern section of the 
world. Red Cross work in the Archangel district has included the 
operation of a hospital, the distribution of comforts to American and 
Allied soldiers and the relief of destitute civilians. 

With the assistance of the chief surgeon of the American forces the 
Red Cross operated a 100 bed hospital in Archangel. On December 
20, 1918, there were 80 patients in this hospital, most of whom were 
American soldiers. 

SIBERIA 

As the opportunities for effective work in European Russia gradu- 
ally narrowed, an enormous field for necessary work opened up in 
Siberia. An appeal for help came from the leaders of the Czecho- 
slovak troops fighting in that district. Wounded soldiers were pour- 
ing into Vladivostok, with inadequate facilities available. In response 
to this appeal, the Red Cross sent representatives to Siberia in June, 
1918, and rushed men and supplies from the United States, cooperating 
from the start with the Far East chapters of the Red Cross. From this 
start the Red Cross work in Siberia has rapidly expanded to cover 
many phases of military and civilian relief, with a personnel of nearly 
350 Red Cross workers on February 28, 1919. The work was still being 
extended on that date, so that the text which follows gives only a 
partial idea of Red Cross work in Siberia. 

The huge area to be covered, extending for 4,126 miles along the 
Trans-Siberian Railway as indicated on Map 15 on page 84, the 
extreme cold, and the multiplicity of tongues and currencies are factors 
making Red Cross work in Siberia very difficult. 

Medical Service 

The medical service for the benefit of American and Allied troops 
and numerous refugees, was probably the most important work carried 
on by the Red Cross. It involved equipping and operating hospitals 
and dispensaries, the distribution of drugs and other medical supplies, 
the establishment and operation of baths and disinfecting plants, and 
the equipping and maintenance of an anti-typhus sanitary train. 



84 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



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OCEAN 




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RUSSIA. 




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JAPAN 

SEA . 


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Map IS. 22 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service 
in Siberia, June, 1918, to February, 1919 



During the period covered by this report, the Red Cross operated 
five hospitals, as shown in table below: 



Table 48 



HOSPITALS OPERATED BY THE RED CROSS IN SIBERIA 

July I, IQ18 — February 28, igig 



Name of Hospital 

Buchedu Tuberculosis Hospital . . . 

Omsk Hospital 

Russian Island Hospital (Vladivostok) 

Tumen Hospital 

Vladivostok Refugee Hospital . . . 

Total 



Bed Capacity 



100 
500 
250 
350 
250 



1.450 



Patients 
Treated 



300 
773 
600 
722 
700 



3.09s 



Patient 
Days 



6,000 
16,050 
50,000 
23.113 
20,000 

11S.163 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 85 

In addition to this hospital work, the Red Cross furnished equipment 
and supplies to a large number of Siberian hospitals, including such 
items as beds, mattresses, blankets, operating tables, instruments, 
drugs, surgical dressings and food. 

An important part in the fight against typhus was taken by a com- 
plete Red Cross sanitary train made up of bath, boiler, tank, steriliz- 
ing, dressing, hair-clipping and other cars. This train, manned by 
Red Cross workers, went into infected districts applying modern 
sanitary methods. 

Other anti-typhus work included the establishment of an isolation 
hospital in Vladivostok and the operation of a bathing and delousing 
station at Ekaterinburg which, up to February 28, 191 9, had given 
30,000 treatments. 

Camp Service 

The military relief service of the Red Cross in Siberia, in addition 
to the medical service just referred to, includes various services for 
American and Allied soldiers, such as the distribution of comforts and 
the operation of home service and a communication service. During 
the Christmas season of 191 8 all the American troops in and around 
Vladivostok were given comforts and other supplies, including 6,000 
comfort bags made by the Japan Chapter of the American Red Cross. 
At the same time the members of the Russian Railway Service Corps, 
composed of American railway men, were given knitted articles and 
other necessary supplies. Altogether 10,000 Americans in Siberia 
have received presents of supplies through the Red Cross. 

In Western Siberia, the Red Cross has assisted the Czecho-Slovak 
and other troops operating in this section. Some of the more impor- 
tant supplies distributed among these forces are listed below: 

Table 49 

SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTED BY THE RED CROSS IN WESTERN SIBERIA 

July I, 1918 — February 28, 1919 

Boots 150,000 (prs.) 

Pajamas 100,000 (suits) 

Sheepskin coats 10,000 

Shirts 100,000 

Socks 200,000 (prs.) 

Sweaters 120,000 

Underwear 200,000 (suits) 



86 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

The home and communication services, in cooperation with these 
activities in America, straightened out the home troubles of American 
soldiers and kept the families and friends of these soldiers informed 
concerning their health and whereabouts. 

Refugee Relief 

The refugee relief work of the Red Cross in Siberia has involved many 
and varied activities, such as the provision of lodging, food, clothing, 
medical service, employment and educational facilities. Table 50 
gives some statistics of this work. 

Table 50 

REFUGEE RELIEF WORK OF THE RED CROSS IN SIBERIA 

July I, igi8 — February 28, igig 

Meals given to refugees 7,000 

Refugees housed 1,000 

Refugees repatriated 1,200 

One of the chief problems confronting the refugee service of the 
Red Cross has been to provide shelter for the many refugees who 
poured into the Siberian cities from all directions. This problem was 
especially acute in Vladivostok, where there were hundreds of homeless 
Russians, Armenians and Serbians. To relieve this housing situation, 
the Red Cross equipped and operated a number of refugee barracks, 
where lodging was furnished and meals were served. These bar- 
racks not only protected the inmates from the wind and weather, but also 
served as a practical means of teaching cleanliness and sanitation. 

Two sewing rooms, a weaving establishment and a tailor shop were 
operated by the Red Cross at Vladivostok to furnish employment for 
refugees. In the sewing rooms 6,500 garments had been turned out 
to December 31, 1918. 

Particular attention was devoted by the Red Cross to the care of the 
many refugee children in Siberia. Schools were operated in Vladivos- 
tok, and seven groups of children from Petrograd living at various 
places in Western Siberia received Red Cross assistance. 

PALESTINE AND NEAR EAST 

Until the British began their advance into Palestine it was not 
possible for the Am^erican Red Cross to offer direct aid to the countless 
thousands of sufferers in these areas. 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 87 

Prior to that time, a great deal of relief had been carried on in 
Armenia, Persia, Syria, the Russian Caucasus and Mesopotamia by 
the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief. Even 
after the severance of diplomatic relations between the United States 
and Turkey this work went on with scarcely a hitch. To February 
28, 1919, the American Red Cross had contributed to this committee 
$4,500,000 in money and $1,444,032.54 in supplies. 

In March, 191 8, the American Red Cross sent a Commission to 
operate in Palestine and the Near East. The Commission reached 
Port Said on June 11 and commenced active operations in Jerusalem 
on July 4, 1918. 

The operations of the Commission to February 28, 1919, extended 
to 54 towns and villages, indicated on Map 16 (page 88), and engaged 
144 Red Cross workers. 

The statistics which follow indicate the extent of the work in the 
Jerusalem district from July i, 1918, to February 28, 1919. Work in 
the Beirut and Aleppo districts was started in November, 191 8, and 
January, 191 9, respectively, along similar lines. 

In the Jerusalem or southern district the work of the Red Cross 
extended as far north as Acre and as far south as Port Said. The medi- 
cal service in this district included the operation of twelve hospitals 
and sixteen dispensaries. Table 51 gives some statistics concerning 
this phase of the work. 

Table 51 

MEDICAL SERVICE OF THE RED CROSS IN THE JERUSALEM DISTRICT 

July I, igi8 — February 28, igig 

Persons treated in dispensaries and clinics: Men 21,000 

Women 39,000 
Children 67,000 127,000 

Physicians' services supplied 10,500 

Mothers with young babies receiving milk diet 9.500 

Invalids receiving three meals a day 12,000 

Special patients regularly receiving milk diet 500 

Patients receiving milk diet for short period 1,500 



88 



WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 



MEDITERRANEAN 

SEA 



Tyrefr •* 9 Damascus 




Aleppo 



Map i6. 54 stations from which the Red Cross rendered service in Palestine 
and the Near East, July, 1918, to February, 191Q 



STATEMENT OF ACCOMPLISHMENT 89 

The motor service of the Red Cross rendered invaluable assistance 
throughout the Jerusalem district, transporting nearly 28,000 refugees 
and invalids a total mileage of 119,981 during the eight months ending 
February 28, 1919. 

The work among children in the Jerusalem district included the 
operation of orphanages, day nurseries and schools in which reading, 
writing, arithmetic and various trades were taught. A few statistics 
of this part of the work are given in the following table: 

Table 52 

RED CROSS WORK AMONG CHILDREN IN THE JERUSALEM DISTRICT 

July J, IQ18 — February 28, igig 

Children regularly cared for in orphanages 600 

Children regularly cared for in day nurseries 85 

Children regularly taught in schools 725 

Children regularly receiving special mid-morning meal 650 

In addition to the services shown above, the Red Cross rendered 
assistance to refugees in the Jerusalem district by furnishing employ- 
ment to 5,000 men and women. The productive activities carried on 
included weaving, sewing, cooking, wall building, brick making and 
farming. The major accomplishments of this industrial and agricul- 
tural service are shown in Table 53. 

Table S3 

RED CROSS INDUSTRIAL AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICE IN THE JERUSALEM 

DISTRICT 

July I, igiS — February 28, igig 

Cloth made 49.S50 (yds.) 

Thread spun 176 (lbs.) 

Bedding sets made 2,502 

Garments made 240,106 

Hammocks, tennis-nets, etc., made 116 

Handkerchiefs, drawn work, rugs, etc., made 52,171 

Buns, fruitcakes, gingerbread, etc., made 3.340,055 

Garden acres planted and cultivated 60 



90 WORK OF AMERICAN RED CROSS 

OTHER ACTIVITIES OVERSEAS 

These are so numerous that mention below is made only of the more 
important. 

Since the signing of the armistice, the Red Cross has sent a unit 
into Poland cooperating with the food supply organization of the Allied 
countries by covering the important field of emergency relief lying 
outside the furnishing of food. This unit carried on such activities as 
furnishing clothing and medical service, assisting in the establishment 
of a national health bureau, establishing dispensaries for immediate 
relief of sickness and suffering, etc. 

A Red Cross unit was sent also into Germany, cooperating with the 
military authorities in caring for Russian and Allied prisoners in that 
country. 

The American Red Cross took a leading part in the organization 
of the League of Red Cross Societies, designed to unite the Red Cross 
societies of the world in active cooperation against the miseries which 
arise from disease and disaster. 

Mention should also be made of the collection of old clothing for 
liberated countries in Europe in response to a request from the Hoover 
Commission. The Red Cross conducted this campaign through its 
chapters and paid the charges of assembling these clothes to the point 
of shipment. 



